CHAPTER - V

 

KENDRIYA SAINIK BOARD

 

1.         Kendriya Sainik Board is the Apex Body of Govt of India, which formulates policies for Resettlement and Welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. The Board has Hon’ble Raksha Mantri as its President and there are 43 other members in the Board, which include Chief Ministers of 13 States, Ministers in other Central/State Govt departments and the three Services Chiefs.

2.         The Board meets once a year to review outstanding issues related to resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen and consider new problems and schemes. The Secretariat of Kendriya Sainik Board is headed by a serving officer of the rank of Brigadier or equivalent from the Navy/Air Force.

 

Composition of Kendriya Sainik Board

 

PRESIDENT

 

Raksha Mantri

 

MEMBERS

 

            Minister of State for Defence

            Minister of State, Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension

            Minister of State for Home Affairs

            Chief Minister of Kerala

            Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir

            Chief Minister of Rajasthan

            Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh

            Chief Minister of Punjab

            Chief Minister of Haryana

            Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh

            Chief Minister of West Bengal

            Chief Minister of Assam

            Chief Minister of Bihar

            Chief Minister of Orissa

            Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu

            Chief Minister of Sikkim

            Minister of Relief and Rehabilitation, Govt of Andhra Pradesh

            Home Minister, Govt of Karnataka

            Home Minister, Govt of Gujarat

            Minister of Harijan and Samaj Kalyan, Govt of Uttar Pradesh

            Minister-in-Charge, Sainik Kalyan Vibhag, Maharashtra

            Members of  Lok Sabha - 2

            Members of Rajya Sabha - 1

            Chief of the Army Staff

            Chief of the Naval Staff

            Chief of the Air Staff

            Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs

            Secretary, Ministry of Defence

            Financial Advisor (Defence Services), Ministry of Defence

            Addl Secretary (Banking), Ministry of Finance

            Director General, Armed Forces Medical Services

            Director General of Employment & Training, Ministry of Labour and

            Employment.

            Director General Resettlement, Ministry of Defence

            Secretary General, Indian Red Cross Society

            Retired Officers from the Armed Forces    -  7

           Retired JCO    -  1

           Smt Nalini Das WO (Retd) Vice Admiral PS Das PVSM, UYSM, VSM

           Representative of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry

           Secretary, Kendriya Sainik Board

3.         KSB Secretariat: Secretariat of KSB is co-located with the Office of DGR.    There are five officers under Secretary, KSB, which include officers from Army, Navy and Air Force and one civilian Accounts officer on deputation from CGDA. Their designations are:-

 

(a)               Joint Director (Policy)

 

(b)               Joint Director (Welfare)

 

(c)               Joint Director (Adm & Cord/Legal)

 

(d)               Joint Director (Training & Scholarship)

 

(e)               Joint Director (Accounts)

 

4.         Charter of Duties – KSB Secretariat

 

            (a)       Organise and conduct annual KSB and Secretaries RSBs meetings:-

           

(i)         The annual meeting of KSB.

(ii)        Annual Meeting of Management Committee of Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.

(iii)       Periodic meetings of the Executive Committee of Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.

(iv)       Annual Meeting of the Defence Secretary with the Departments of Sainik Welfare/RSBs of States and UTs. 

(v)        Meeting of Coordination Committee of ex-servicemen corporations of States.

 

(b)       Progressing implementation of the decisions taken with concerned agencies.

 

(c)       Provide policy directives to Deptts of Sainik Welfare in States/UTs on matters of welfare of ex-servicemen.

 

(d)       Monitor and guide the Deptts of Sainik Welfare in their functioning as per guidelines laid down by KSB / Ministry of Defence.

 

(e)       Provide budgetary support for establishment and maintenance costs of Deptts of Sainik Welfare and Zila Sainik Welfare Offices to States/UTs.

 

(f)         Attend as member of the Selection Committee convened invariably under the Chief Secretary of the State for selection of Director, Deptt of Sainik Welfare/Secretary  RSB and Zila Sainik Welfare Officer/Secretary ZSB convened

 

one month prior to the post falling vacant.  Directorate of Employment, DGR will sponsor names of suitable officers to respective State Govts for the selection.

 

 (g)      Inspect the Department of Sainik Welfare of States/UTs each year and report on their functioning to DGR.

 

(h)       Attend Rajya Sainik Board and Amalgamated Fund Meeting in States as a special invitee.

 

(j)         Administer Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF).

 

(k)       Deal with redressal and queries related to welfare of ex-servicemen and families of deceased service personnel.

 

(l)         Operates the Scheme for allotment of Medical, Dental and Engineering seats under Ministry of Defence quota.

 

(m)      Organise and conduct Armed Forces ‘Flag Day Collections’ at Central Govt Deptts located at Delhi.

 

(n)        Provide flags and posters and publicity material for conduct of the AFFD in States/UTs and Indian Missions abroad.

 

(o)       Provide through National Defence Fund periodic augmentation of corpus of Amalgamated Special Fund of the States. 

 

(p)       Operation of centrally sponsored schemes such as RMDF (Raksha Mantri Discretionary Fund).

 

(q)       Issue I-Card for availing Rail Travel Concession to War Widows.

 

(r)        Process grants through Defence Ministers Appellate Committee on Pension (DMACP) for ex-servicemen in penury.

 

            (w)       Inspect ZSB’s at random to check their functioning and effectiveness.

Deptt of Sainik Welfare & Zila Sainik Welfare Office

 

5          At the State level the resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen is handled by one of the Ministries in the State Govt and the Secretary of the Deptt concerned oversees the work of Deptt of Sainik Welfare.  The Deptts of Sainik Welfare exercise general control and supervision over the Zila Sainik Welfare Offices some of which cover more than one revenue District.  The Chief Minister of the State is the Chairman of the Rajya Sainik Board in the State and Collector is the Chairman of the Zila Sainik Board.  The Secretaries to the Rajya Sainik Board are invariably the Directors of the Deptt of Sainik Welfare and the Secretaries to the Zila Sainik Boards are the Zila Sainik Welfare Officers.  The Zila Sainik Welfare Offices are established in Zilas which have population of 7,500 and above of ex-servicemen, widows, dependents and families of serving defence personnel left behind.  However, in certain districts in remote/hilly areas the population limitation of minimum of 7500 can be waived as stipulated in the rules.

 

Rajya and Zila Sainik Boards

 

6.         The composition of the Rajya Sainik Boards and Zila Sainik Boards is given below :‑

 

(a) Composition of Rajya Sainik Boards

 

President             :               Governor/Chief Minister

 

Vice President(s)     :          GOC-in-C Command

FOC-in-C Command

AOC-in-C Command

 

Ex‑officio Members  :         State Ministers,

Heads of Departments,

Local Formation Commanders

Director, Resettlement Zone

Non‑official        :                 Four Ex-servicemen (nominated by Chiefs of

                                              Staff Committee)

Members                             Two prominent citizens

 

Secretary                 :           Director, Deptt of Sainik Welfare

 

  Note:‑ DGR and Secretary, KSB are special invitees at the meetings.

 

            (b) Composition of Zila Sainik Boards

 

President              :              District Collector

 

Vice President           :        Senior ex‑Service Officer

 

Ex‑officio members  :         Heads of State Govt Departments/Recruiting

Officer

 

Non‑official           :              Two ex-servicemen

Members                              Four Prominent Citizens

 

Secretary              :              Zila Sainik Welfare Officer

 

Revitalisation of Sainik Boards

 

7.         To revitalize the Sainik Board Organisation in the States/UTs, Ministry of Defence pays 50 per cent for the establishment of Department of Sainik Welfare and maintenance costs of these departments to States/UTs.  DGR and Secretary KSB therefore advise the Department of Sainik Welfare in States/UTs on policies for resettlement and welfare of ex-servicemen, widows and seek reports from the Director Department Sainik Welfare/Secretary RSB and Zila Sainik Welfare Officer/Secretary ZSB  on  implementation  of  policies  and  success  in  resettling ex-servicemen, widows, disabled personnel invalid out from Service and their dependents.  Advice is also rendered on the welfare schemes required for the clientele which are financed from funds allotted by Govts of States/UTs and the Amalgamated Special Funds.

 

Responsibilities of Department of Sainik Welfare/Rajya Sainik Boards

 

8.  The Departments of Sainik Welfare/Rajya Sainik Boards in the States/UTs are responsible for the following functions:‑

 

(a) Control and  Co‑ordinate the work of Zila Sainik Welfare Offices in the State and ensure their effective functioning.

             

(b) Maintain Liaison with Ministries of the State, State undertaking and enterprises and Banks to seek vacancies for ex-servicemen and widows as per reservation policy of the State and as per recruitment rules. Monitor such vacancies and ensure these are filled up by ex-servicemen or widows. Have the policy on reservation for ex-servicemen in the State amended in conformity with that of Centre.  Ensure that ex-servicemen are given due place in the 100 point roster prepared by States/UTs in accordance with their reservation policy.  Be a member of the Subordinate Selection Board of the State to ensure above.

 

(c) Promoting measures for the welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen and families of serving/deceased personnel of the Armed Forces.

 

(d) Disseminating information to the general public regarding the Armed Forces in the country and for taking measures to enhance interest in Armed Forces amongst general public.

 

(e) Administering the Zila Sainik Welfare Offices (ZSWOs) in the State in accordance with the rules and instructions prescribed by the Central and State Govts.  In coordination with the administration of the State, ensure that vacancies of Zila Sainik Welfare Officers and their staff are filled on occurrence.

 

              (f) Carry out any duties assigned by DGR/Secretary, KSB.

 

(g) Submit papers to KSB for claiming the 50 percent charges for establishment   expenditure of Department of Sainik Welfare/RSB and ZSWO/ZSBs of the State.

 

(h) Maintain up to date statistics of ESM, disabled ESM, widows and dependants and families of serving defence personnel.

 

(j)  Ensure timely submission of reports and returns to DGR/KSB.

 

(k) Organise annual RSB meeting under Chairmanship of Governor/Chief Minister and Amalgamated Special Fund meeting under chairmanship of Governor of the State.  At these meetings a review is made of the welfare and rehabilitation measures, fresh policies formulated and implemented.

 

(l) Seek and monitor employment opportunities for ESM and widows in the private sector.

 

(m) Assist ESM and widows in planning and funding of self-employment ventures.

 

(n) Orgainse Armed Forces Flag Day Fund committee meetings in order to fix targets for various state and voluntary agencies to enhance collection drive throughout the year.  Maintain the Amalgamated Special Fund and promite/institute Welfare Schemes in the State from these funds as per decisions of the Management Committee of these funds.

 

(o) Undertake additional welfare measures for ex-servicemen and widows.  Give wide publicity to welfare measures being undertaken by the Deptt through the media.

 

(p)     Hold ex-servicemen rallies and pension adalats to propagate various concessions being extended and settle on the spot functional and other problems projected by ex-servicemen and their dependents.

 

(q)   Report to DGR on the ex-servicemen training being conducted in respective states and make suggestions with regard to changes in courses commensurate with changing trends.

                   

.

9.         The Zila Sainik Welfare Offices (ZSWOs)/Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) which are the field units of this organisation are responsible for the tasks as given under:‑

 

(a) Disseminating information to the general public regarding the Armed Forces in the country and constantly endeavouring to promote and maintain a feeling of goodwill between civilian population, service personnel and ex-servicemen.

 

(b) Monitoring the welfare of families of servicemen and ex-servicemen and assisting them in representing their cases with the local administration or the Defence authorities. Welfare organizers employed in each ZSWO/RSB play a crucial role in establishing contact with the clientele in their homes, listing their problems, needs and aspirations, providing in puts on these to the ZSWO/RSB, resolving these, and spreading awareness of the resettlement and welfare measures in place which they can avail off.

 

(c) Giving information to the general public regarding the conditions of service in the Armed Forces and to assist intending candidates in approaching the appropriate recruiting authorities for purposes of enlistment.

 

(d) Keeping a watch on the adequacy of the number of pension paying offices/branch post offices paying pension.

 

(e) Scrutinising applications for relief from various military and civil charitable funds and making suitable recommendations.

 

(f) Granting financial relief to ex-servicemen and their dependents from funds at their disposal.  Recommending cases of ESM and their families for financial assistance from KSB.

 

10.       The welfare responsibilities of Zila Sainik Welfare Offices (ZSWOs) will encompass all such traditional activities which were already being performed by these offices with particular reference to the following :‑

 

(a) Settlement of financial problems such as pension and other retirement/release benefits/dues to ex-servicemen and grants and assistance in kind to ex-servicemen beneficiaries and dependents from the Central/State Govts or other Organisations such as the Indian Red Cross Society etc.

 

(b) Maintaining close liaison with the Pension Disbursing authorities/agencies in the District to ensure prompt and correct payment of pension and reliefs to ex-servicemen pensioners or their dependents.

 

(c) Providing assistance for settlement of land and other disputes.

 

(d) Assist families of serving personnel staying separately during their absence away on duty.

 

(e) Promote and maintain under the guidance of the State Rajya Sainik Boards, welfare measures in the District such as Rest House for ex-servicemen, old age pensioners' homes, vocational and other training facilities and hostel for children of serving defence personnel and ex-servicemen.

 

(f) Mobilise assistance for medical treatment in Military/Civil hospitals.

 

(g) Maintain liaison with other welfare organisations such as the Indian Red Cross Society, NGOs and voluntary agencies to enhance additional sources of welfare and concessions for ex-servicemen and their families/dependents in the Districts.

 

(h) Maintain an up‑to‑date register of war widows, dependents and those disabled in         action with a view to ensure their welfare.

 

(j) To represent DGR/KSB, Ministry of Defence (Govt of India) in Court Cases under their jurisdiction in which these organisations have been made respondent.

 

(k)     Provide ex-servicemen and family pensioners information about Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS).

 

11.       The responsibilities of the Zila Sainik Welfare Offices (ZSWOs) with regard to resettlement of ex-servicemen are :‑

 

(a)     To maintain close and effective liaison for purpose of resettlement through employment of ex-servicemen with :‑

                       

(i)         Local Central/State/private industrial organisation.

 

(ii)        Local employment exchange particularly in States where it has co‑sponsoring powers for re‑employment of ex-servicemen.

 

(iii)       Local revenue authorities in connection with schemes for resettlement on land of ex-servicemen.

 

(iv)       District Industries/Block Development Offices and assisting those ex-servicemen desirous of setting up small scale industries.

 

(b)     Assist ex-servicemen in forming and setting up co‑operatives for their self‑employment.

 

(c)     Provide all resettlement assistance to war widows, dependents and war disabled as well as to those who died/disabled while in service due to attributable reasons.

 

(d)     Assist ex-servicemen in preparing of project reports for self-employment ventures and in obtaining loans under DGR resettlement schemes.

 

 

12.  Other responsibilities of Zila Sainik Welfare Offices (ZSWOs) are :‑

 

(a) Organise Armed Forces Flag Day under aegis of the President ZSB (District Collector) and Flag Day collections and any other authorised fund raising measures in the district.

 

(b) Organise rallies/re‑union of ex-servicemen.  Organise welfare meetings with President ZSB to resolve problems of ex-servicemen and widows, preferably once each month on a fixed day.

 

(c) Explore avenues for providing educational and vocational training facilities for ex-servicemen and their dependents to enable them to seek employment or set up self‑employment venture.

 

(d) Assist the three Services whenever called upon to do so to disseminate information within the district regarding terms and conditions of service in the Armed Forces.  Provide publicity for recruitment notice and for assistance rendered by the Armed Forces in times of national calamities. Publicise notification of awards of gallantry and other decorations, introduction of welfare schemes of service personnel and their families.