Srinagar, Jan 14: Security agencies have effectively controlled violence in Jammu and Kashmir and are giving a befitting reply to those who are trying to fulfil their “political goals” through proxy war, Lt Gen Upendra Dwivedi GOC-in-C Northern Command said on Saturday.
Addressing a 7th veteran rally in Rajouri, Lt Gen Dwivedi said Rajouri is the land of heroes and brave people. They have never allowed the conspiracies and nefarious plans of the neighboring nation to succeed.
“In this resolution of ours, the Village Defence Committees are being further strengthened and trained with the participation of ex-servicemen,” he said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi said the main objective of this rally is to find out the problems of ex-servicemen living in J&K Union Territory and to solve all their problems as soon as possible with the help of the administration.
“Recently we have also done Veteran Rallies in Lam, Mendhar, and Reasi. In the year 2022, 21 such rallies were organized in which we received a total of 794 complaints and so far, the problems of 297 Veterans have been redressed,” he said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi said the process is on for resolving the rest. Representatives of ECHS, Record Offices, Stalls of Defense Pension Disbursement Office, and representatives of J&K Govt are present in today’s Veterans Rally. I request that all of you take full advantage of these stalls, he said.
“I am very happy to inform you that the Government of India has approved the amendment in the scheme of One Rank One Pension on 23 December 2022,” he said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi said it is a matter of great pleasure that the J&K Government has accepted the long pending demand of increasing the Ex Gratia amount of our Fallen Heroes in J&K and this amount has been increased from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 25 lakh.
“While monthly financial assistance to World War II and Ex J&K Militia, Veterans and their Veer Naris has been increased from ₹4,000/- and ₹2,500/- to ₹5,000/- respectively. Out of 73 cases of last year’s Ex-Gratia relief, a total of 60 claims have been passed so far, with a total amount of ₹ 1,52,95,000/,” he said.
The senior Army officer said that the remaining amount of ₹ 36,70,000/- will also be paid soon to the soldiers and their families.
Gen Dwivedi expressed his gratitude to Lt Governor Manoj Sinha for all these welfare measures. He said recently the Government has appointed Nodal Police Officers of DSP rank to redress the grievances of ex-servicemen in all the 20 districts of J&K.
“It is a matter of great pleasure that a Hostel for children of our heroes and ex-servicemen in Srinagar is on Tender Stage and it is targeted to be completed at the earliest in the financial year 2023-24,” he said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi said one such three-storied 100-bed hostel will also be built on Talabira Tilo Road in Jammu and the work has reached Administration’s approval stage.
“I would like to thank and compliment Secretary Rajya Sainik Board, Brig GS Shan, Div Commissioner Jammu, and Div Commissioner Srinagar for their tireless efforts,” he said.
The GoC said several welfare initiatives under Operation Sadbhavana, like infrastructure development, medical camps and infrastructure, women and youth empowerment, educational tourism and sports have been undertaken.
“In the year 2022-23 Op Sadbhavna, we have implemented 60 projects of school and education infrastructure, 75 projects related to sports, and 39 health schemes in the area of 16 Corps at a cost of Rs 14.2 crores, which has benefited about 60,000 youth and other people,” he said.
Lt Gen Dwivedi both Government of India, J&K, Indian Army and the Northern Command are always committed to the service of our Veterans.
“I expect you to cooperate fully in the welfare schemes run by the Army and the Government and make these schemes successful,” he said.
