Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 17: Governor, N.N. Vohra, President, J&K Rajya Sainik Board, presided over the 77th meeting of J&K Rajya Sainik Board (RSB), here at the Raj Bhavan.
Lauding the dedication and the high commitment with which the Armed Forces are serving the nation, facing varied adverse challenges and physical discomforts, the Governor observed that the State Government must take every required step to ensure welfare of the nearly 7.8 lakh persons who comprise serving and retired servicemen and their families.
Observing that the vast majority of the service personnel retire at below 40 years age, the Governor stressed the need to fully utilize the young force of ex- servicemen who possess skills and expertise in varied fields, for productive activities in the State. For absorbing ex-servicemen in civil sector, the Governor urged the adoption of a broad based and flexible approach which may vary from organization to organization.
While reviewing the various welfare activities carried out by the RSB, the Governor emphasized the need for evolving appropriate objective-specific approaches for maximizing the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families in the State. The Governor directed that the State Home Department must timely settle all pending issues of Sainik Welfare Department.
The Governor reviewed the to-date status of construction of Sainik Bhavans at Rajouri, Kupwara and Srinagar, which are nearing completion and also took stock of the land acquisition proceedings for construction of Sainik Bhavans at Kargil and Baramulla.
The Governor advised Brig. (Retd.) R. S. Langeh, Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board, to take early steps for starting SSB coaching at Leh, on the pattern of other existing coaching centres, for the facilitation of youth desirous of joining the Armed Forces.
The RSB approved that the relief being provided to the Militia Veterans and their widows and relief being provided to WW-II Veterans and their widows by the State Government should be enhanced. The Rajya Sainik Board also approved the re-designation of Zila Sainik Welfare Officers as Additional Directors.
Later, the Governor chaired the 62nd meeting of the State Managing Committee for Funds. The Committee, approved hike in Penuary Grant and Demise Grant being provided to ex- servicemen and their widows. The Committee also approved the proposal to extend the benefit of Marriage Grant to the widows of JCOs where daughters were to be married. Earlier, this grant was available only to the level of Havaldars.
A detailed power point presentation was made by Brig. (Ret.) R. S. Langeh, Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board.
Among those present in the meetings were Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Chief Secretary; Lt. General D.S. Hooda, GOC-in-C Northern Command; P.K. Tripathi, Principal Secretary to the Governor; Maj. Gen. Anil Chouhan, COS 15 Corps; Maj. Gen. Biraj Guha, COS, 16 Corps; Brig. Raj Purohit, representative of COS 9 Corp; Col. Rajiv Chouhan, Director Resettlement, Zone (North); Lt. Col. Vivek Joshi, Representative of Kendriya Sainik Board; Sqn. Ldr. R.S. Chib; Maj Gen. G S Jamwal (Retd.), AVSM, President J&K Ex- Services League; Maj Gen N S Jamwal (Retd.); Brigadier R S Jamwal (Retd.); Hony Capt. Bana Singh, PVC; Hony Capt. Mohd. Hanief Bakshi (Retd.); S.S. Wazir, IPS (Retd.) and Brig. Anil Gupta (Retd.)
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