CHANDIGARH, Feb 14: In recognition of the gallantry and courage of the sons of the soil, Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday honoured families of 34 martyrs, who laid down their lives to uphold the country’s unity and integrity.
The occasion coincided with the first anniversary of the Pulwama attack. The Chief Minister gave away ‘Certificate of Honour’ to those who had been given jobs in the state government under its ‘Honour and Gratitude’ policy during the years 2017, 2018 and 2019.
While interacting with the martyrs’ families, Captain Amarinder reiterated his government’s firm commitment to accord top priority to the welfare of the families of the martyrs who made supreme sacrifice while guarding the country’s borders in line of their duty and fighting the terrorism in various parts of the country.
Captain Amarinder said the State Government had made a humble effort to show its gratitude to the families of the martyrs though the loss of their beloved ones could never be compensated in monetary terms. The people of Punjab would always remain indebted to martyrs for their exemplary valour and heroic deeds, he asserted.
Responding to the issue raised by some of the martyr’s families, the Chief Minister asked the department of Defence Services Welfare to come up with a revised policy to provide better jobs in case the eligible family members improve his/her educational qualification to lead a life with self respect and dignity.
Meanwhile, Director, Defence Services Welfare, Brig. Satinder Singh (Retd.) announced that one family member each of the defence forces personnel, who had laid down their lives recently, would also be provided jobs at the earliest.
He said nine such cases were under active consideration of the State Government, of which jobs would be provided to the eligible next of kin shortly in four cases. The other five cases will be processed in due course of time after getting Battle Causality Certificates from the Army authorities, which are mandatory for providing jobs to the Next of Kin, he said.
The Director further revealed that various schemes had been recently introduced for the welfare of martyrs’ families out of Flag Day Fund viz., financial assistance for medical treatment, family of personnel dying while on duty, sustenance allowance to widows till their regular pension starts, higher education for the children of widows, coaching classes for professional courses and tool kit for self employment ventures besides several other welfare schemes including financial assistance for marriage of daughters of Ex-servicemen.
Notably, under the Punjab Government’s ‘Honour and Gratitude’ policy, a Government job to the eligible Next of Kin (NoK), along with financial assistance of Rs. 10 lakh and Rs. 12 lakhs is also provided for single and married martyrs respectively in the state. (UNI)
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