APPEAL FOR CONCRETE MEASURES TO ENSURE PENSION, REHABILITATION AND WELFARE OF MARTYRS’ FAMILIES AND DEPENDANTS
Face2News/Chandigarh
A delegation of the All India Ex-Paramilitary Forces Welfare Association (AIPFWA) has urged the Punjab Government to establish a Paramilitary Welfare Board in the state to safeguard the welfare of retired paramilitary personnel, families of martyrs and their dependants.
The delegation included Ranbir Singh, General Secretary of the association; Harbhajan Singh, former DIG, CRPF; K.J.M.S. Cheema, former IG, BSF; H.R. Singh, former DG, CRPF; and Anand Nimadiya, former IG, ITBP, among others.
The association submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, urging the government to take necessary steps to address the issues faced by retired paramilitary personnel.
In the memorandum, the association stated that paramilitary personnel play a vital role in safeguarding the country’s borders, maintaining internal security, responding to natural disasters and managing other emergency situations. These personnel discharge their duties to protect the nation and its citizens without worrying about their own lives. Therefore, ensuring their rehabilitation, pension benefits, healthcare facilities and the welfare of their families after retirement is equally important.
The memorandum recalled that on August 2, 2024, a delegation of former paramilitary personnel, led by then ADG P. Chugh Singh, had met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in Chandigarh and submitted a memorandum. According to the association, the Chief Minister had assured the delegation that appropriate action would be taken through the Department of Defence Services Welfare. However, the association stated that the proposal to establish a Paramilitary Welfare Board remains pending.
The association also sought improved healthcare facilities for retired paramilitary personnel and their families in Punjab. The memorandum urged the state government to correspond with the Ministry of Health, Government of India, to establish a Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) dispensary or wellness centre in the Mohali, Kharar and Fatehgarh Sahib areas.
According to the memorandum, a CGHS dispensary is available in Chandigarh, but the absence of a similar facility in Mohali creates difficulties for retired paramilitary personnel and their families in accessing healthcare services.
The association further demanded that a room be allotted for office use to organisations working for the welfare of retired paramilitary personnel in Punjab. It suggested that the space could be provided within the SDM or Deputy Commissioner’s office complex in Mohali. This would enable the organisations to function smoothly and bring the problems faced by personnel and their families to the attention of the concerned authorities.The association expressed hope that the Punjab Government would soon decide to establish a Paramilitary Welfare Board, keeping in view the valuable contributions of retired paramilitary personnel. According to the organisation, this initiative would be an important step towards ensuring the dignity, security and welfare of retired personnel, the families of martyrs and their dependants.
