RAJOURI
Respected Gallantry Award Winners, Veer Naris, Ex-Servicemen, their families, J&K Government Officials, Rajya Sainik Board Officials, DPDO, AWPN representatives, Offrs, JCOs and brave Jawans. I as GOC-in-C, Northern Comd, extend a hearty welcome and greetings to all of you for the 7th Veteran’s Day Rally.
The main objective of this rally is to find out the problems of ex-servicemen living in J&K Union Territory and to solve all their problems as soon as possible with the help of administration.
Recently we have also done Veteran Rallies in Lam, Mendhar and Reasi. In the year 2022, 21 such rallies were organized in which we received a total of 794 complaints and so far, the problems of 297 Veterans have been redressed. The process is on for resolving the rest. Representatives of ECHS, Record Offices, Stalls of Defense Pension Disbursement Office and representatives of J&K Govt are present in today’s Veterans Rally. I request that all of you take full advantage of these stalls.
I am very happy to inform that the Government of India has approved the amendment in the scheme of One Rank One Pension on 23 December 2022. Including the security personnel who retired after 01 July 2014, the number of beneficiaries of OROP is 25 lakh 13 thousand. Whatever arrears or arrears will be due after this amendment, the government will also give it.
It is a matter of great pleasure that the J&K Government has accepted the long pending demand of increasing the Ex Gratia amount of our Fallen Heroes in J&K and this amount has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh. Monthly financial assistance to World War II and Ex J&K Militia, Veterans and their Veer Naris has been increased from ₹4,000/- and ₹2,500/- to ₹5,000/- respectively. Out of 73 cases of last year’s Ex-Gratia relief, a total of 60 claims have been passed so far, with a total amount of ₹ 1,52,95,000/-. The remaining amount of ₹ 36,70,000/- will also be paid soon to the soldiers and their families. I express my gratitude to Honourable Lt Governor of J&K, Shri Manoj Sinha ji for all these welfare measures.
Also fulfilling the longstanding demand of our J&K Veterans AWHO Board of Governors, Jammu has approved AWHO Housing Project and conducted Demand Survey Advt. You can apply for this project with your Domicile Cert from 15 Jan to 15 Feb. you are requested to make this project successful by applying as much as possible. Land acquisition will be done on the basis of your response and the project will start soon.
Recently, the present J&K Government has appointed Nodal Police Officers of DSP rank to redress the grievances of ex-servicemen in all the 20 districts of J&K.
It is a matter of great pleasure that a Hostel for children of our heroes and ex-servicemen in Srinagar is on Tender Stage and it is targeted to be completed at the earliest in the financial year 2023-24. One such three storied 100 bed hostel will also be built on Tatlab Tilo Road in Jammu and the work has reached Adm Approval stage. I would like to thank and compliment Secy Rajya Sainik Board, Brig GS Shan, Div Commissioner Jammu and Div Commissioner Srinagar for their tireless efforts.
The land of Rajouri is the land of heroes and brave and has never allowed the conspiracies and nefarious plans of the neighbouring nation to succeed. The security agencies have effectively controlled the violence and a befitting reply is being given to those who are trying to fulfil their political goals with the help of this proxy war. In this resolution of ours, the Village Defence Committees are being further strengthened and trained with the participation of ex-servicemen.
Several welfare initiatives under OPERATION SADBHAVANA, like infrastructure development, medical camps and infrastructure, women and youth empowerment, educational tourism and sports have been undertaken. In the year 2022-23 OP SADBHAVNA, we have implemented 60 projects of school and education infrastructure, 75 projects related to sports, 39 health schemes in the area of 16 Corps at a cost of Rs 14.2 crores, which has benefited about 60,000 youth and other people.
I also want to inform you that now you can collect your CSD Liquor and grocery Quota one month in advance i.e. in Jan you can collect quota for Jan & Feb.
Work at fast pace is going on to transfer you all to Sparsh Pension Yojana. I want to assure the ex-servicemen that the Army and State Administration are working day and night to solve your problems.
I assure you that the Government of India, J&K, Indian Army and the Northern Comd are always committed to the service of our Veterans. I expect you to cooperate fully in the welfare schemes run by the Army and the Government and make these schemes successful. In the end, I once again thank the respected Lt Governor of J&K, Civil Administration, J&K Police and all of you.
