RMEWF-Financial Assistance for Ex-Servicemen in Penury

Background

Aging comes with many challenges. The loss of independence is one potential part of the process, as are diminished physical ability and age discrimination. Because the elderly typically no longer hold jobs, finances can be a challenge. These financial challenges are more for those ex- servicemen who are non-pensioners, have no source of income and are above 65 years of age. To ameliorate their suffering in a small way, in 1981, financial assistance of Rs 100/- per month for a period of two years was introduced for non-pensioner ESM/their widows on attaining the age of 65 years. This amount was subsequently revised in 2007 by the Management Committee of AFFD Fund to Rs 500/- pm for two years with an additional one-time grant of Rs 30,000/- at the age of 70/75 years. The scheme was simplified and revised to a monthly grant of Rs. 1,000/- per month per beneficiary for life time in Oct 2011.

Present Scheme

The present scheme provides financial assistance to non-pensioners Ex-Servicemen (ESM)/Widows in a state of penury at the rate of Rs.4,000/- per month per beneficiary for life time with effect from April, 2017. The penury grant is provided to Ex-Servicemen upto the rank of Havildar and equivalent/their widows who are above 65 years of age and are not in receipt of any pension. The grant is funded out of Armed Forces Flag Day Fund under the scheme Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund.

Number of Beneficiaries and Amount Disbursed

The number of beneficiaries and the amount disbursed during last three years under the above scheme is as under:-

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