Chamoli district has 11,155 registered ex-servicemen and 5,195 registered soldiers’ widows, according to information presented at a District Sainik Parishad meeting held in Gopeshwar on Thursday.

District Magistrate Gaurav Kumar directed officials to give priority to resolving the problems faced by ex-servicemen and their dependants. The meeting covered welfare assistance, memorial projects and land-related requests raised by former soldiers.

Welfare assistance and registered beneficiaries

District Sainik Welfare Officer Kalam Singh said 98 Veer Naris and 20 Second World War Veeranganas are also registered in Chamoli. More than ₹11.76 lakh in assistance had been provided to the Second World War Veeranganas by October.

The district has also provided ₹67 lakh in grants to 87 gallantry medal recipients and their dependants. Other support available through welfare schemes includes assistance for daughters’ weddings, scholarships, pensionary grants and pre-recruitment training.

These measures cover financial support, education and preparation for recruitment. The meeting brought the schemes and the needs of former service personnel and their families before district officials.

Review of 11 Shaheed Dwar projects

Officials reviewed the construction of 11 proposed Shaheed Dwar gateways across the district. A gateway named after Shaurya Chakra awardee martyr Sepoy Raghuveer Singh has already been completed at Maikholi.

Construction is under way at Kandei, Phaloda, Mast, Sunau and Girsa, among other locations. The meeting did not provide a completion schedule for the remaining projects.

Requests for land and military facilities

Ex-servicemen asked officials to advance the land-transfer process for a Sainik Vishram Grih and an ECHS polyclinic at Kaleshwar in Karnaprayag. They also suggested building the proposed Sainik Vishram Grih for Tharali at Kulsari.

The District Magistrate instructed the District Sainik Welfare Officer to speed up the process of allocating land for a Sainik Vishram Grih in Gairsain. The meeting also included the release of a booklet on schemes run by the Sainik Welfare and Rehabilitation Department.

Chief Development Officer Dr Abhishek Tripathi, retired Lieutenant Colonel DS Bartwal, officials from different departments, ex-servicemen and their family members attended the meeting.

Conclusion

The meeting combined welfare assistance for Chamoli’s registered service families with reviews of 11 Shaheed Dwar projects and proposed facilities at Kaleshwar, Tharali and Gairsain. The next verified steps include advancing land processes and continuing construction already under way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How many ex-servicemen are registered in Chamoli?

Chamoli has 11,155 registered ex-servicemen.

Q. How many soldiers’ widows are registered in the district?

There are 5,195 registered soldiers’ widows.

Q. How many Shaheed Dwar gateways are proposed?

The district has proposed 11 Shaheed Dwar gateways.

Q. Where has a Shaheed Dwar already been completed?

A Shaheed Dwar named after Shaurya Chakra awardee martyr Sepoy Raghuveer Singh has been completed at Maikholi.

Q. What facilities were discussed at Kaleshwar?

Ex-servicemen requested progress on land transfer for a Sainik Vishram Grih and an ECHS polyclinic at Kaleshwar in Karnaprayag.

Q. What instruction was given regarding Gairsain?

The District Magistrate directed the District Sainik Welfare Officer to speed up land allocation for a Sainik Vishram Grih in Gairsain.