Dainik Nation News Portal
DAINIK NATION BUREAU/DEHRADUN
On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has paid homage to the brave martyrs by laying a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial and feliciitated the soldiers and families of the martyrs of the 1971 Indo-Pak war here in Dehradun on Tuesday.
In his address Chief Minister announced the provision of government vehicles to the Directorate of Sainik Welfare and the District Sainik Welfare Offices of Didihat, Herbertpur, Pithoragarh and Haridwar.
Extending greetings on Vijay Diwas, CM Dhami recalled that in 1971, around 93,000 Pakistani soldiers surrendered before the Indian Army. He said that 248 brave soldiers from Uttarakhand laid down their lives in this war, while 74 soldiers from the state were decorated with gallantry awards for their exceptional courage. He added that almost every family in Uttarakhand has someone serving in the armed forces.
CM Dhami said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Indian Army is being equipped with modern technology and advanced weapons. It has boosted the morale of soldiers. India has emerged as a major defence exporting nation. He reiterated that the operation Sindoor has showcased not only the bravery of Indian soldiers but also the strengthen the indigenous defence systems such as the Akash missile, BrahMos missile and other defence platforms.
This is a new India that gives a befitting reply to every hostile act of the enemy. He highlighted several landmark decisions taken in the interest of soldiers, including One Rank One Pension, construction of the National War Memorial, increase in the defence budget, and strengthening of border infrastructure, CM Dhami added.
Reaffirming the state government’s commitment to soldiers’ welfare, the Chief Minister said the ex-gratia amount for martyrs’ dependents has been increased from ₹10 lakh to ₹50 lakh. He announced unprecedented hikes in compensation for gallantry award recipients—Param Vir Chakra awardees will now receive ₹1.50 crore (earlier ₹50 lakh), Ashok Chakra recipients ₹50 lakh, Mahavir Chakra and Kirti Chakra recipients ₹35 lakh, and Vir Chakra and Shaurya Chakra recipients ₹25 lakh.
He further said that one member of a martyr’s family will be provided a government job, and the application period has been extended from two to five years. Schemes such as pre-employment training, daughter marriage assistance, free travel on state transport buses for gallantry awardees and veterans, and 25 percent stamp duty exemption on property purchases up to ₹25 lakh for serving and former soldiers are being implemented. He also informed that a grand “Military Dham” is being constructed at Guniyal village in Dehradun.
Military Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi said that the central and state governments are working in coordination for the welfare of soldiers, and under Chief Minister Dhami’s leadership, issues related to soldiers are being resolved on priority.
MLA Khajan Das, MLA Savita Kapoor, Secretary Military Welfare Deependra Chaudhary, Major General (Retd.) Sammi Sabarwal, along with ex-servicemen and widows of martyrs, were present at the event.
