Governor Urmila Singh made clear that rehabilitation and settlement of ex-servicemen of the State were being accorded top priority by setting up of Central Sainik Board by GOI, State Government and at district level and implementing various schemes for their benefit. She was speaking in her presidential address she delivered in the 23rd Meeting of State Sainik Board and 41st meeting of Administrative State Management Committee for Special Fund held at Raj Bhawan here today. Governor said that all schemes aimed at speedy development, relief and rehabilitation of serving and ex-servicemen needed to be renewed and updated from time to time to deliver maximum benefits to the families. She said that frequent meetings of Sainik Welfare Board needed to be convened so that all their problems were reviewed and resolved. She said that 15 percent reservation was being provided by the State Government in Government service to the ex-servicemen.
Governor said that armed forces were entirely different to other services where martyrdom was supreme sacrifice. She said that soldiers from Himachal were known for their bravery in war and peace which distinguished them from rest of the services. She said that it was essential that armed forces were young and effective since 80 percent of soldiers attain superannuation between the age of 35 to 40, which in fact was the time for them to shoulder their domestic responsibilities. She said that although various steps directed towards welfare and rehabilitation of the ex-servicemen but more concerted steps were required for their speedy settlement. She underlined the need for frequent and periodic review of all the initiatives being taken by the Sainik Welfare bodies so that the objective of their welfare, rehabilitation and settlement was achieved.
