Chief Minister Conrad Sangma today announced a sharp increase in the cash award the Meghalaya government gives to state awardees of the Param Vir Chakra, India’s highest military decoration.
Currently, PVC awardees are granted a cash award by the state government of Rs 1 lakh but this will now rise to Rs 5 lakh. The government will also increase the annuity from Rs 1,000 per month to Rs 10,000.
Sangma further announced that the ex-gratia to the next of kin of martyrs and disabled soldiers will be enhanced from Rs 15 lakh to Rs 20 lakh and that ex-servicemen and their widows residing in Meghalaya, including in municipal areas, will be exempted from house tax.
Among the other announcements, the CM said that the government has sanctioned an ex-gratia payment of Rs 15 lakh to the next of kin of the late Havildar Hampiar R Marak of the 59 Medium Regiment, a resident of Mendipathar, who died while on duty in an operational area in Jammu and Kashmir. With regards to provision of a government job for one member of the family of the late David Manlun, Kirti Chakra, who as martyred on June 6, 2017 during a counter insurgency operation in Nagaland, the government decided that one government job will be provided in the office of the Director, Sainik Welfare Board.
In addition, space will be provided for the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) Polyclinic in Tura. The government has also sanctioned Rs 4 crore for the construction of the Sainik Rest House in Shillong, the work for which will start soon. The Sainik Rest House will also accommodate the office of the Director of Sainik Welfare.
During the occasion the Chief Minister also presented the ex-gratia and gallantry award winners cheques and gifts to selected ex-servicemen and war widows.
Among the dignitaries present were cabinet minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, Air Marshal AP Singh, SASO Eastern Air Command, Lt Gen KC Panchanathan, GOC 101 Area, and Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills Isawanda Laloo.
