Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday made three major announcements for the brave soldiers, ex-servicemen and families of martyrs in Uttar Pradesh at the Ex-Servicemen Reunion Ceremony held in Meerut. He announced that the one-time cash awards and annuities given to gallantry award winners would be doubled, the stamp duty exemption on property purchases by ex-servicemen and dependants of martyred soldiers would be increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, and one dependant of each martyr would be provided a government job in their home district or a neighbouring district.
During the ceremony, the Chief Minister also inaugurated newly constructed Sainik Welfare Offices in eight districts of the state, built at a cost of Rs 27.50 crore. The book Shaurya Gatha was also released on the occasion. It documents the valour of soldiers from Uttar Pradesh who have been honoured with seven Ashok Chakras, 30 Kirti Chakras and 133 Shaurya Chakras.
The Chief Minister said, “A soldier never retires. The uniform may change, but the commitment to patriotism and service to the nation remains unchanged. Preserving the honour and dignity of soldiers, Veer Naris and families of martyrs is the resolve of the double-engine government. There is no place in Uttar Pradesh for anti-national forces, terrorists or criminals. Such elements have already been buried. The government was doubling the one-time cash awards and annuities given to recipients of the Param Vir Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal, Vayu Sena Medal and other eligible gallantry and distinguished war service medals.”
He added, “Similarly, the stamp duty exemption on property purchases by ex-servicemen and dependants of martyred soldiers would be increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. In addition, one dependant of each martyr would be provided a government job in their home district or a neighbouring district. For this, the Sainik Welfare Department would coordinate with other departments to identify available vacancies.”
The Chief Minister urged ex-servicemen to prepare young people in villages for recruitment into the Army and police, keep them away from substance abuse and familiarise them with the importance of discipline.
He said, “The path to Viksit Bharat would pass through Viksit Uttar Pradesh. The government stands firmly with ex-servicemen, Veer Naris and families of martyrs with complete sensitivity and commitment. There is no place in the state for anti-national forces, terrorists or criminals. The honour of serving soldiers and the dignity of ex-servicemen will be protected under all circumstances. A country and society could transform their potential into progress only in a secure environment. People across the country can sleep peacefully because soldiers remain awake at the borders. From the snow-covered peaks of Siachen to deserts, seas and disaster-hit areas within the country, soldiers are always among the first to stand on the frontlines.”
The CM added, “India has a vast military fraternity of approximately 20 lakh personnel. Around 60,000 soldiers retire every year, of whom nearly 12,000 belong to Uttar Pradesh. The state has produced brave soldiers such as Param Vir Chakra recipient Naik Jadunath Singh, Veer Abdul Hamid, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey and Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav. The village of Gahmar in Ghazipur is among the villages that have contributed the highest number of soldiers to the nation. As many as 2,685 brave sons of the state have made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation, while more than 2,000 soldiers have earned gallantry medals.”
Taking a swipe at previous governments, the Chief Minister said, “Around a decade ago, Meerut, the land of revolution, had come to be associated with vehicle theft, illegal slaughter, country-made firearms and mafia rule. Sugarcane farmers struggled to receive their payments. Farmers demanding their rightful dues outside sugar mills were lathi-charged. Sugar mills remained shut, while fields lacked electricity and canals lacked water. Farmers were afraid to visit their own fields. Today, Meerut is establishing a new identity through the manufacturing of sports goods under the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. Sugarcane farmers have received record payments, while farmers are being provided free electricity and free canal water. The Namo Bharat Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), Meerut Metro, Delhi-Meerut Expressway and Ganga Expressway have taken connectivity to new heights. The state’s first sports university, named after Major Dhyan Chand, is also taking shape in Meerut.”
The Chief Minister recalled the 2016 incident involving ex-serviceman Ganesh Kumar Shukla. He said, “The soldier, who had participated in the Kargil War and served for 22 years in the Maha Regiment of the Army, was assaulted by supporters of a political party leader for refusing to salute him. Instead of taking action against the culprits, the police at the time registered an FIR against the ex-serviceman himself.”
The CM also referred to the 2013 incident involving martyr Lance Naik Hemraj Singh, when administrative arrangements were lacking during his last rites and his family was forced to sit on a protest.
He further recalled the murder of Lance Naik Ved Mitra Chaudhary in Meerut in 2015 and the assault on the family of a serving soldier in Etawah in February 2014. He said, “During that period, soldiers had to struggle for their own dignity and security. Questions were raised over military operations, placing the valour and courage of soldiers under scrutiny. After terrorist attacks, sending dossiers and issuing condemnations were considered sufficient responses. Today, however, those responsible for terrorist attacks are being taught a lesson under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
The Chief Minister said, “During the Amrit Mahotsav of Independence, the Prime Minister had outlined Panch Pran for Viksit Bharat. These included taking pride in India’s heritage, freeing the country from symbols of slavery, honouring the Army and ex-servicemen, promoting unity and fulfilling civic duties. The long-pending demand for One Rank, One Pension, which had remained unresolved for four decades, was fulfilled. The National War Memorial was established and the defence budget was increased. The creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff strengthened coordination among the three services. India’s defence exports have increased 55 times compared to 2013-14, reaching approximately Rs 38,000 crore.”
The CM added, “Uttar Pradesh is not only providing soldiers to the nation but also equipping them with modern weapons. Under the Defence Corridor project, BrahMos missiles are being manufactured in Lucknow. Most components of the indigenous AK-203 rifle are being manufactured in Lucknow and Kanpur, while their final assembly takes place at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi. Ammunition for the rifle is also being produced in Kanpur. The state has expanded its network of Sainik Schools. The Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has also strengthened security arrangements in Deoband and border districts.”
The Chief Minister said, “The ex-gratia assistance given to families of martyrs had been increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh. So far, 150 families of martyrs have received assistance amounting to Rs 59.50 crore. A provision for providing government jobs to dependants of martyrs has been in place since 2018. The state has established 200 memorials, 61 commemorative gateways and 78 statues. A total of 31 schools, 48 roads and three stadiums have been named after martyrs. Ex-servicemen who served during the Second World War and their wives are being provided a monthly pension of Rs 6,000. Veer Naris and parents of Kargil martyrs are also receiving pensions. The annual financial assistance for differently abled soldiers from Uttar Pradesh undergoing treatment at paraplegic centres has been increased to Rs 1.5 lakh.”
Speaking about employment opportunities for ex-servicemen, the Chief Minister said, “Five percent reservation had been implemented for them in Group B posts. Over the past three years, 647 ex-servicemen have been selected for government service. Around 31,700 ex-servicemen have received employment through the Sainik Kalyan Nigam. A 20 percent horizontal reservation has been provided for Agniveers in various services, including the Uttar Pradesh Police, Prisons Department and Forest Department. Since 2017, financial assistance amounting to Rs 96.78 crore has been provided under various soldiers’ welfare schemes. More than 15,000 beneficiaries have received Rs 115 crore through the Sainik Punarvas Nidhi. This includes educational grants for over 8,600 children, financial assistance of Rs 1 lakh each for the marriages of 907 daughters, and assistance to 269 children selected for military academies.”
The Chief Minister said, “Rs 64 crore had been allocated for the construction of District Sainik Welfare Offices and Sainik Rest Houses. Thirteen new buildings and rest houses have been constructed. Old buildings in four districts, including Meerut, have also been renovated. The newly constructed buildings in Shamli, Amethi, Chandauli, Auraiya, Sant Kabir Nagar, Sonbhadra, Ambedkar Nagar and Gorakhpur were inaugurated on Saturday. The government has also decided to provide land free of cost for ECHS polyclinics in 14 districts.”
The Chief Minister appealed for the book Shaurya Gatha to be made available in schools and libraries.
The Chief Minister felicitated the families of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation by presenting them with cheques and angavastrams on the stage.
Those honoured included Archi Singh, wife of Major Amit Sharma; Usha Sharma, mother of Major Ketan Sharma; Abrisha Khatoon, wife of Kirti Chakra recipient Sepoy Ajmer Ali; Vimlesh Devi, wife of Sapper Satish Kumar; and Meenu Tomar, wife of Shaurya Chakra recipient Anil Kumar Tomar, along with several other Veer Naris.
Ex-servicemen Lance Naik Priyapal Singh and Rifleman Harbir Singh were also felicitated.
Minister of State (Independent Charge) Dr Somendra Tomar said, “Previous governments had turned Meerut into a city of riots, whereas today it had emerged as a district with excellent connectivity. Around 31,000 ex-servicemen had been provided employment through the Nigam. Rojgar Melas and eye camps would also be organised soon.”
The ceremony was attended by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Command, Lieutenant General Sanjay Mitra; Major General Sumit Rana; Major General Anupam Agarwal; Minister Dinesh Khatik; Meerut MP Arun Govil; Rajya Sabha MP Dr Laxmikant Bajpai; Mayor Harikant Ahluwalia; MLA Amit Agarwal; MLC Dharmendra Bharadwaj; and MLC Ashwani Tyagi, along with several senior Army officers, Veer Naris and ex-servicemen.
Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath makes three major announcements for ex-servicemen from the revolutionary land of Meerut
Stamp duty exemption of up to Rs 50 lakh on house purchases for ex-servicemen; jobs near their hometowns for dependants of martyrs: Chief Minister
CM also inaugurates newly constructed Sainik Welfare Offices in eight districts of the state, built at a cost of Rs 27.50 crore
A soldier never retires; the uniform changes, but the resolve to serve the nation does not. There is no place for criminals and terrorists in UP: CM Yogi
CM launches a sharp attack on the Opposition, saying it questioned the valour of brave soldiers by raising doubts over military operations
Those behind terrorist attacks are being taught a lesson under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi: CM Yogi
Assistance of Rs 59.50 crore provided to 150 families of martyrs; provision for govt jobs to dependants in place since 2018: CM
31,700 ex-servicemen provided employment through Sainik Kalyan Nigam: Chief Minister
2,685 brave sons of UP made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation; over 2,000 received gallantry medals: CM Yogi
BrahMos missiles being manufactured in Lucknow; AK-203 components being produced in Kanpur and Lucknow: Chief Minister
