WELFARE AND REHABILITATION OF EX-SERVICEMEN

There are 28,31,109 ex-servicemen as per data collected for the year 2024-25. The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) runs various rehabilitation and re-settlement schemes for ex-servicemen (ESM) (details are given below).

Details of the Schemes run by DGR

• DGR Sponsored Security Agency Scheme: The DGR empanels / sponsors ESM run Private Security Agencies, and State ESM Corporations for providing security guards to various Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and any Corporate Houses, Private Sector Undertakings as requisitioned.
• DGR Technical Service Scheme: DGR provides Ex-servicemen manpower for 'Technical Services' to the Government Establishments/Complexes through empanelled State ESM Corporations.
• ESM Coal Loading And Transportation Scheme (Officers only): The Scheme is administered on the basis of MoU between the Coal India Ltd (CIL) and DGR. Presently the scheme is subjudice post unilateral withdrawal by CIL from the MoU of 2013.
• Coal Tipper Attachment Scheme for ESM (For JCOs/OR): This scheme is linked with the ESM Coal loading and transportation scheme.
• Tipper Attachment Scheme for Widows and Disabled Soldiers: Widows up to the age of 65 and disabled soldiers having 50% or more disability are eligible to enrol for this scheme.
• Issue of DGR Eligibility Certificate for Allotment of LPG/ Retail Outlet (Petrol/ Diesel) Distributorship advertised by Oil Marketing Companies against 8% Reservation Quota: ESM including War widows/ dependents of those who died in war, war disabled/disabled on duty while serving in operational area, widows/ dependents of those who died in harness due to attributable or aggravated causes to Military Service and ex-servicemen disabled in peace due to attributable or aggravated causes to Military Service are eligible for the scheme.
• Management of Company Owned Company Operated (COCO) Retail Outlets: Willing ESM (Officers) and JCOs who has not availed any other Govt./DGR benefit are sponsored for the COCO based on Oil Company's requisition for further selection by Oil Company.
• Management of CNG Stations By ESM In NCR/Pune: Desirous ESM registered in the scheme are sponsored on receipt of requisition from IGL (New Delhi and NCR region) & MNGL (Pune/Nashik).
• Allotment of Mother Dairy Milk Booths and Fruit & Vegetable (Safal) Shops in NCR: The ESM are registered for Milk / SAFAL (Fruit and Vegetable) booths separately till the age of 60 years. They operate these outlets and earn their livelihood /learn entrepreneurship.
• Incorporation of Ex-Servicemen in Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojna (PMBJP) Scheme: The Government of India Scheme PMBJP, aims at establishing nation-wide Generic Medicine pharmacies for providing cheaper medicines to all. The scheme was launched by DGR in June 2023.
• Resettlement Training/ Skill Development Courses: Training Directorate at DGR is responsible for organizing and conducting Resettlement / Skill Development Training Courses for retiring/retired personnel of Indian Armed Forces to enhance their skill level for smooth transition and suitable employment in civil street.
• • For Officers - 60% Course fee is paid by MoD/ DGR while 40% is paid by each individual officer. Widows of officers are also eligible to undergo above courses.
  • For JCOs/OR & Equivalent - 100% Course fee is paid by MoD/ DGR. Widows of JCOs/OR are eligible to undergo DGR sponsored courses.

A total of 67,316 ex-servicemen benefitted from the Directorate General Resettlement employment / self-employment schemes.

During the FY 2024-25, a total of 11,589 retiring and retired officers/ Junior Commissioned Officers/ Other Ranks have been given resettlement training/ skill development courses under the Directorate General Resettlement's skill development programs, trainings and schemes. Armed Forces Veterans are being trained and skilled as detailed above by the Directorate General Resettlement, Ministry of Defence.

During 2024-25, the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) provided quality medical care to the ex-servicemen and their dependents through 427 polyclinics pan-India and 06 polyclinics in Nepal as well as through empanelled hospitals. Healthcare facilities under the ECHS have thereafter been expanded to five districts not having polyclinics. Government sanctioned 21 new ECHS Polyclinics pan India; five of these have been sanctioned for new districts.

This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth in a written reply to Shri Pradip Kumar Varma in the Rajya Sabha today.

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SR/NIRMIT