U''khand increases monetary help given to awarded soldiers

Dehra Dun, Jul 25 (PTI) Uttarakhand government has increased the annuity paid to gallantry award recipients and one-time assistance to them, and announced that it would observe Kargil Day as 'Shaurya Diwas' tomorrow. "Uttarakhand is the first state in the country which has made manifold increase in the annuity paid to gallantry award recipients as well as one-time assistance to them and other soldiers," the government said in a statement issued today on the eve on 'Kargil Diwas'. One-time assistance to Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra awardees has been increased to Rs 25 lakh from Rs 1,72,500 and Rs 1.45 lakh respectively. Similarly, the amount for recipients of Mahavir Chakra and Kirti Chakra has been increased to Rs 15 lakh from Rs 1.15 lakh and Rs 87,000 respectively. A significant increase in one-time assistance for soldiers decorated with Vir Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Sarvottam Yudh Sewa Medal, Uttam Yudh Sewa Medal and Yudh Sewa Medal has also been made, it said. Apart from this, the government has also decided to provide annuity to gallantry award recipients to life time instead of the present 30 years. Besides, the pension of ex-soldiers and widows of soldiers has also been increased to Rs 3000 per month from Rs 2000. Uttarakhand is also the first state in the country where exservicemen are being appointed as block representatives and they are being given honorarium at the rate of Rs 4000 per month, it said, adding, 95 exservicemen have been provided jobs through this way. Chief Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank also decided to observe Kargil Day as Shaurya Diwas as the hill state boasts of having the maximum number of soldiers in the country. The government also sanctioned several other welfare schemes for the soldiers like setting up toll-free telephone facility for them.