Uttarakhand: Ex-servicemen expressed gratitude to CM Dhami for his announcements for soldier welfare, Dhami announced – A rest house will be built in Mussoorie for soldiers
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the gratitude and dialogue program organized by the Uttarakhand Ex-Serviceman Organization at Doon Sainik Institute, Garhi Cantt, Dehradun on Sunday. The brave women along with the officers and soldiers of the Ex-Serviceman Organization expressed their gratitude to the Chief Minister for increasing the ex-gratia grant amount given to the martyred soldiers in the state on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, increasing the period for applying for government jobs to the families of martyred soldiers from 2 years to 5 years, providing appointment to the dependents of the martyrs on these posts in other departments besides Group ‘C’ and Group ‘D’ in the District Magistrate’s offices, as well as providing leave to the contract workers working in the Sainik Welfare Department like Upanal employees and also honored the Chief Minister.
Chief Minister Dhami said that our soldiers are also the sentinels of the Himalayas and protectors of the environment. Expecting the ex-servicemen to cooperate in the success of ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ and ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, he announced the construction of Sainik Vishram in Mussoorie. In the program, the women honoured the Chief Minister and the Chief Minister honoured the women.
The Chief Minister said that the State Government is providing employment in the State Services to one dependent of the soldiers of the Army and Paramilitary Forces who die in war, as per their educational qualification. So far, 17 dependents of soldiers have been given jobs in the State Services. Uttarakhand is the only state where soldiers decorated with the Gallantry Award are paid a lump sum annual amount for life. The lump sum amount of soldiers decorated with the Vishisht Seva Medal Award has been increased. The monthly grant given to the ex-soldiers of the Second World War and war widows has been increased from 8 thousand to 10 thousand.
The Chief Minister said that our army has always displayed indomitable courage and bravery. Our army has a history of valour and valour. Uttarakhand is not only Devbhoomi but also Veerbhoomi. Every family from Uttarakhand is connected to the military background. It is difficult to describe in words the contribution made by the soldiers and military families of Uttarakhand. He said that a grand military shrine will also be inaugurated soon.
The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has always worked to boost the morale of the army. If there is Holi, Diwali or any special day, he goes among the army and celebrates with them. Work is being done to boost the morale of the army under his leadership. The morale of the soldiers has increased due to One Rank One Pension. We are proud of our Indian Army, due to which the country is safe. He said that the Prime Minister has described the third decade of the 21st century as the decade of Uttarakhand. We are trying to include the state among the leading states of the country. The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand has got the first place in the country in the Sustainable Development Goals issued by NITI Aayog. It is also a challenge for us to maintain it, efforts will be made to improve the indicators on which the state needs further improvement. He said that continuous efforts are being made by the state government for the overall development of the state.
The Chief Minister, while describing the atrocities on minorities in Bangladesh as sad, said that at such a time many people of our country are entangled in the bondage of casteism. Whereas this is the time for us to collectively think on this issue. He said that those who take out candle marches on the incidents happening in many countries of the world are also unaware of this incident. He said that this is the time for mutual unity. He also asked the ex-servicemen to cooperate in the work of nation awakening.
Military Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi said that the state government has run many public welfare schemes for the soldiers and their dependents. The grant amount of the Second World War, increase in the amount of Vishisht Sena Medal Award and one-time grant amount of Veerta Medal Award have also been increased manifold.
On this occasion, J.O.C. Ab Area Maj. Gen. Prem Raj, Director Sainik Welfare Brigadier Amrit Lal, Chairman Upanal Brigadier J.S. Bisht along with a large number of army and ex-military officers along with ex-servicemen and brave women were present.
