Government accommodation for battle casualties and their families extended to 1 year

In a move that provides much needed succor to the soldiers and their families, the government has approved the proposal to extend the stay of families of soldiers martyred in action from the present 3 months to a year. This provision will also apply to the families of soldiers killed in air raids too. The deadline which was upto three months was extended to one year after proposal was received from the MoD and the defence personnel.

The statement from Ministry of Defence said that Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to extend the period of retention of government accommodation by Battle Casualties from all the three Services to one year from the existing three months. The statement further said, “In view of the requirements and demands of the armed forces, the Ministry of Defence reviewed the existing provisions and recommended the extension of the period to boost the morale of the service personnel.”

“At present, the family of an Armed Forces personnel killed in action against enemy forces or whilst enemy air attacks are permitted retention of government accommodation for three months and it has now been extended to one year.”, says the press release.

The Defence Ministry had in October approved to enhance monetary assistance to the kin of battle casualties. The monetary assistance was increased to Rs. 8 lakhs from existing Rs 2 lakhs. This too was a long pending demand of the military fraternity.