GRANT FOR VETERANS' FUNERAL EXPENSES

GRANT FOR THE VETERANS’ FUNERAL EXPENSES

At present there are three agencies providing grant to meet the funeral expenses
of an ex-serviceman.

They are:-

1. From the State Govt. sponsored Ex-services
Personnel Benevolent Fund. (Zilla Sainik Board) _Rs.3000

2. From the respective record offices in the name
Of Demise Grant - - _ Rs.3000

3. From the ADLR Scheme of Exsm. Canteen. _ Rs.2500

Except the ADLR Scheme, maintained by the Esm. Canteen, (Station HQs), the other schemes does not release the grant on the date of the funeral. Instead of approaching three different agencies for the grant, why not one agency take up the responsibility and pay the total grant at one point on the day of the funeral.

Administrative arrangements may be made by the respective station headquarters with the other agencies like Zilla Sainik Boards and the record offices to release the demise grant of the respective agencies by the ADLR staff and claim re-imbursement to them.

This arrangement will go a long way in mitigating the suffering of poor widows to get these grants after the death of their husbands. The purpose of the funeral grant is to meet the funeral expenses on the date of the funeral. There is no meaning in making the widow to borrow money from money lenders on exorbitant interest rates on the day of the funeral and paying her the grant afterwards.

The welfare schemes should have practical approach, and should provide immediate relief to the down trodden.