Giving recognition to the valour of Indian Army and the martyrs, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on Wednesday has more than doubled the compensation for widows and families of the soldiers dying while fighting for the nation.

The announcement comes at a time when several Indian soldiers have been killed in the cross-border firing incidents with Pakistan following India’s surgical strike across the Line of Control (LoC).

The revision
It was in 1998, under Atal Bihari Vajpayee government that the compensation for the families of the martyrs was first revised after which it has been  revised this year, after a gap of 18years.

The revision will be covered under the Seventh Pay Commission that would come into effect from January 1, 2017 and it will benefit the families of martyrs like Lance Naik Hanumanthappa K.

New plan of action
Mr Parrikar also enhanced the areas and type of actions in which the compensation would be given to the martyrs, defence ministry told Mail Today.

The ex-gratia lump-sum compensation to the next of kin of the deceased defence forces personnel has been revised in five major categories.

10 Lakh to 25 Lakh
The circular states, “For deaths occurring due to accidents in the course of performance of duties, the compensation has been increased from the existing Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.” The amount will be given to the kin of the soldier dying in any kind of accidents while performing their duties.

The revised amount will be paid from the welfare fund of the government and it will be separate from the insurance and other funds that the soldiers are entitled to.

Compensation increased by Rs 20 lakh
The families of those soldiers killed during taking part in border encounters and action against militants and extremists, the compensation has been increased by Rs 20 lakh.

According to official statement, “the families of soldiers who died in skirmishes in the recent incidents on the LoC would get Rs 35 lakh as compensation, which was earlier Rs 15 lakh.

Operations against sea pirates started in 2008, but fortunately, so far, no Indian Navy person has become a casualty.

The ex-gratia amount to be paid to the families of soldiers dying in high altitude areas such as Siachen has also been enhanced to Rs 35 lakh from the existing 15 lakh.

Compensation in war engagements Rs 45 lakh
The compensation for deaths occurring during enemy action in war or war-like engagements, in a war-torn zone in foreign country, has been increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 45 lakh.

Including evacuation of Indian nationals in times of crisis
The government has included the operations of the Navy and Air Force to evacuate Indian nationals from foreign countries in times of crisis.

As much as it is hoped that more lives of our soldiers are not lost due to war, this is a much needed revision.

The Logical Indian appreciates the new move by the defence ministry to increase the compensation for the kin of martyred soldiers.