Rajnath Singh approves increase in assistance for battle casualties

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave an approval to enhance the monetary assistance given to next of kin (NoK) of all categories of battle casualties. The amount has been increased from Rs. 2 lakh to Rs. 8 lakh and will be granted under the Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund(ABCWF).

The present structure of Monetary Assistance

The present amount for provision of financial assistance is of Rs. 2 lakh to fatal battle casualties which is 60% above disability, battle casualties invalidated due to disability and Rs. 1 lakh to disability less than 60%. The amount is given in addition to the liberalised family pension, financial assistance and Army group Insurance, Army Welfare Fund and ex gratia amount.

READ | Telangana CM KCR meets Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi

READ | Rajnath Singh: Possibility of terror incidents along coastline remains

ABCWF instituted in 2016 following an incident in Siachen

The ABCWF was created under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890, a bank account for the same was also opened in Syndicate Bank, New Delhi. "The ABCWF has been set up under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), Ministry of Defence after a large number of people offered to provide monetary assistance to the families of battle casualties following an incident in February 2016 at Siachen, wherein 10 soldiers were buried in an avalanche. The ABCWF was instituted in July 2017 and was implemented retrospectively with effect from April 2016," a release issued by the ministry of defence stated.

READ | Defence Minister to commission submarine INS Khanderi on September 28

Rajnath Singh launches 'Bharat Ke Veer Fund'

This fund is in addition to the various welfare schemes for the NoK and children of battle casualties in the form of ex gratia that ranges from Rs. 25 lakh to Rs. 45 lakh and Army group insurance ranging from Rs. 40 lakh to Rs. 75 lakh. In his previous term as Home Minister, Rajnath Singh had launched the 'Bharat Ke Veer Fund' to assist the families of soldiers and paramilitary personnel who were killed or injured.

READ | PM announces ex-gratia to victims of Haryana & Raj road accidents

READ | Rajnath Singh expresses gratitude, says Indian Navy always on alert

(With inputs from ANI)