Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat stressed upon the need to establish Defence Academies in the State, so that the students could prepare them for clearing Service Selection Board for making career a in Defence Forces.
The Governor was presiding over the 25th meeting of State Sainik Welfare Board and 43rd meeting of State Managing Committee for Management and Administration of Special Fund for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen today, said that such Academies would be able to create aptitude in students towards the Defence Services and fill up the shortage of Officers in forces besides getting jobs in forces.
He said youth of the State owing to tough topographic conditions were naturally suited to guard the borders of the Country. These youth living in tough conditions have more experience to serve in such circumstances and said that more opportunities should be provided to the youth of the State in Defence Forces.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, speaking on the occasion, said that pension matters of those ex-servicemen who were without any kind of pension would be included, in the budget speech, to ensure pensioner benefits. He said a military station would be established very soon in the State for which the process of identifying proper land was in progress. After selection of land, new sub area could be set up in the State, keeping in view its strategic location.
Chief Minister said Rs. 1.60 Crore would be spent on reconstruction of Sainik Rest House Solan with the provision of parking in the ground floor and Rs. 2.50 crore had been released for repair and maintenance of Sainik Rest Houses in the State. A toll free number at Sainik Welfare Headquarter Hamirpur would also be made functional to disseminate information related to benefits and problems of the Ex-servicemen. Wards of ex-servicemen, interested in coaching of SSB for military would be given one time stipend of Rs. 6000, so that these youth could also be commissioned in military.
Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Sainik Welfare Dr. (Col.) Dhani Ram Shandil said Rs. 3 crore has been distributed under ‘Shaurya Puraskar’ and Rs. 6.50 crore under old age financial assistance to Ex-servicemen. In addition to this Rs. 1.15 crore had been released as grant to families of Martyrs from the State.