Enhanced Grants, Increased Gallantry Awards, and Expanded Welfare Offices Highlight CM Nitish Kumar’s Commitment to Armed Forces and Inclusive Development.
On Armed Forces Flag Day 2024, the Government of Bihar, under the leadership of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, announced a series of substantial benefits and welfare measures for Armed Forces personnel and their families. These measures, which include significant increases in financial grants, gallantry award cash benefits, and the expansion of district-level soldier welfare offices, underscore the state’s commitment to honoring and supporting its servicemen and women.
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, whose leadership has been instrumental in Bihar’s consistent progress, emphasized the importance of these initiatives in fostering the welfare of the Armed Forces community while highlighting the state’s growing commitment to inclusive development.
Major Policy Highlights
Enhanced Ex Gratia Grants
The Bihar government has increased financial support for Armed Forces personnel and their families:
- For families of personnel who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty: Ex gratia grant increased from ₹11 lakh to ₹21 lakh.
- For disabled Armed Forces personnel boarded out from service: Grant raised from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh.
Gallantry Award Cash Benefits Multiplied
Acknowledging the bravery of Armed Forces personnel, the state government has significantly increased the cash awards for gallantry award winners who are residents of Bihar:
- Param Veer Chakra: From ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore.
- Ashok Chakra: From ₹8 lakh to ₹75 lakh.
- Mahaveer Chakra: From ₹5 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
- Kirti Chakra: From ₹4 lakh to ₹10 lakh.
- Veer Chakra: From ₹2 lakh to ₹9 lakh.
- Shaurya Chakra: From ₹1.5 lakh to ₹8 lakh.
Meritorious Service and Commendations
Bihar has also raised the cash awards for distinguished service medals and mentions:
- Mention-in-Dispatches: From ₹50,000 to ₹6 lakh.
- Sarvottam Yuddha Sewa Medal: From ₹7 lakh to ₹7.5 lakh.
- Param Vishishta Sewa Medal: From ₹1.5 lakh to ₹4.5 lakh.
- Uttam Yuddha Sewa Medal: From ₹3 lakh to ₹4 lakh.
- Ati Vishishta Sewa Medal: From ₹1 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh.
- Yuddha Sewa Medal: From ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh.
- Vishishta Sewa Medal: From ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh.
Recognition for Military Service Medals
The state has significantly increased cash awards for military service medals:
- Army/Navy/Air Force Medal (Shaurya): From ₹75,000 to ₹7 lakh.
- Army/Navy/Air Force Medal (Vishishta): From ₹75,000 to ₹2 lakh.
Expansion of District Soldier Welfare Offices
To improve access to welfare schemes and support services, the number of District Soldier Welfare Offices across Bihar will increase from 13 to 25. This expansion aims to ensure that soldiers and their families receive assistance more efficiently at the district level.
Under CM Nitish Kumar’s visionary leadership, Bihar continues to chart a course of rapid development. The Chief Minister’s focus on strengthening social welfare systems has been pivotal in bringing these changes to the Armed Forces community. His administration’s commitment to improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and now Armed Forces welfare, is transforming Bihar into a model of inclusive growth.
