Telangana: Servicemen miss out on availing Sainik funds

Hyderabad: Several crores of rupees allocated to the Telangana Sainik Welfare Board as benefits to ex-servicemen lie unused as there are hardly any takers. Besides members from the armed forces, families of World War II veterans and those who participated in various peace missions are eligible to draw the benefits.

For World War II veterans or their widows, the state government provides Rs 6,000 per month. Defense pensioners are also entitled for benefits under the funds collected during the Armed Forces Flag Day. 

The benefits include education, hostel (from XI to post-graduation), marriages (restricted to two daughters and remarriage of widows), penury (for a maximum of five years, above 60 years of age), funeral grant (death of ex-serviceman, wife, sons and daughters), orphans till they attain 21 years of age and disabled children (100% disability) and also ad hoc grants. 

Colonel P. Ramesh Kumar, director of TS Sainik Welfare Board, said, “The sainik welfare department of Telangana collects voluntary donations from citizens, institutions and government employees during the Armed Forces Flag Day which are given as financial assistances to ex-servicemen and their families. Similarly, the Kendriya Sainik Board also gets funds from the Centre for the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families. However, many of them, especially the widows, are not aware of these benefits. We conduct awareness drives to increase the number of beneficiaries.”