The Defence Minister Arun Jaitley handed over additional ex-gratia amount from the Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (ABCWF) to ten Next of Kin (NoK) of battle casualties here today. Speaking on the occasion Shri Jaitley said that till now it has been the government, the Armed Forces and the insurance agencies that have been taking care of the families of these martyrs. It is a symbolic concern shown by the citizens that they care for them. He further said that it is a kind of reciprocity from the people indicating that they now stand with these martyrs and next of their kin.The fund is being pooled by the concerned citizens for such martyrs. The Defence Minister also released an amount of ₹ 3.04 crore to 142 other NoK of brave soldiers of the Indian Army, who made the supreme sacrifice for the country.The ABCWF has been set up under Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (ESW), Ministry of Defence following a large number of requests to Defence Minister from citizens, who expressed willingness to assist families of battle casualties, especially in the context of Siachen incident in February 2016 in which ten soldiers were buried in an avalanche.The fund has been created under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890.
A Bank Account bearing No. 90552010165915 has been opened in the South Block Branch of Syndicate Bank, New Delhi for public to deposit money. There is a provision of financial assistance of ₹ 2 lakh to the army battle casualties which are fatal, 60 per cent and above disability and battle casualties invalided out due to disability and ₹ 1 lakh to disability less than 60 per cent. This will be in addition to liberalised family pension, financial assistance from Army Group Insurance, Army Welfare Fund and ex-gratia amount.A draft scheme/standard operating procedure has been formulated for administration of the Fund and disbursal of financial assistance to NoK of battle casualties. The scheme broadly lays down the objectives of the Fund, eligibility for financial assistance, management of the Fund, procedure for receipt of donations and disbursal of financial assistance. The Scheme is being implemented through Army Headquarters, Adjutant General Branch and made effective from January 1, 2016. Deputy Secretary (Resettlement) has been appointed as Custodian/Treasurer of the Fund. The management and administration of the Fund will be overseen by a Managing Committee headed by the Defence Minister.Minister of State for Defence Dr. Subhash Bhamre, Secretary (ESW) Shri Prabhu Dayal Meena, Adjutant General Lt. General Ashwani Kumar and senior officers of MoD and the Armed Forces were also present on the occasion.