SAS Nagar/Chandigarh, October 9
Punjab Minister for Defence Services Welfare, Freedom Fighters and Horticulture Departments, Mohinder Bhagat said that the Bhgawant Mann Government to strengthen the District Defence Services Welfare Offices across the state to facilitate the ex-servicemen in a big way.
During his visit to the Saink Sadan, Phase 10, Mohali (District Defence Services Welfare Office), the Minister said during his interaction with the media and ex-servicemen that the visit is aimed to take the stock of existing set-up and facilities being given by the district defence services welfare offices so that the shortcomings would be overcome. He said that these offices have been taking care of the ex-servicemen, and their families very well by facilitating them with all the entitlements and raising their demands with the state in case they need so.
After getting a guard of honor from the police contingent during his first visit to the district, he offered floral tribute to the 1965 Kargil Hero, Mahavir Chakra Major Baljit Singh’s statue at the Sainik Sadan. He said that the martyrs of freedom struggle and defence forces have great respect among every citizen of the Nation and we must take care of their families for their unparalleled valiant and sacrifice for the Nation.
Interacting with the ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and family members of army personnel, the Minister said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Government will not let them any problem at all and they will be treated as the most respected persons. He said that the ex-gratia amount that has been enhanced to Rs One Crore is a befitting tribute to the martyrs of the defence forces by the state government to express solidarity with their families.
On raising concern over the disparity in PWD pension and the need for lump sum honorarium for the war widows till the sanction of family pension, the Minister assured that the disparities would be removed besides granting a lump sum amount of honorarium is under consideration of the State Government. He assured that the issues raised here and related to the Government of India would also be taken up with the central government for their early disposal.
The Minister felicitated the meritorious students of the District Defence Services Welfare office Mohali run Sainik Institute of Management and Technology Institute students Gursimran Kaur, Divianshi Negi, Pulkit and Pratibha. He said that such nine institutes are being run in the state at various districts to equip the ex-servicemen family wards with job-oriented education and courses. The District Defence Services Welfare Officer Sarabjit Singh added that so far the Institute has a history of 1107 pass-outs with a well-placed record. Presently, 120 students are studying here. District has about 1800 army officers, 11000 ex-servicemen, 5724 widows of ex-servicemen, 48 Veer Naris (War Widows) and 136 Gallantry Awardees.
Director, Defence Services Welfare Department, Punjab Brig (Retd) Bhupinder Singh Dhillon while welcoming the Minister at the Sainik Sadan Mohali, apprised him of the department-run schemes and facilities provided at the district offices in detail.
The wife of Shaheed Col. Manpreet Singh (Kirti Chakra) was also present at the gathering and interacted with the Minister. The Minister assured her of performing all the duties on behalf of the state that are pending, soon. He asked the Director of Defence Services Welfare Department and ADC (G) Viraj S Tidke to follow up on the demands of the family to fulfil them timely.
