Rs 40 lakh proposed for NOKs of soldiers killed in all ops

New Delhi, Feb 18 (UNI) A uniform ex-gratia compensation of Rs 40 lakh to the next of kin of a soldier killed in all operations -- be it border skirmishes or counter insurgency -- has been proposed to the sixth Central Pay Commission.

Defence Minister A K Antony stated this in reply to a matter raised by CPI(M)'s Hannan Mollah under Rule 377 in the Lok Sabha on September 10 last year.

The member had requested for grant of uniform welfare package to all soldiers who were killed or wounded in counter-insurgency operations at par with the amount given to the next of kin of those killed or wounded during 1999 Kargil War.

Mr Antony said a comprehensive package of Rs 19 lakh from the National Defence Fund (NDF) was paid to each of the next of the kin of all battle casualties of Operation Vijay in Kargil.

The package included a lump sum amount of Rs 10 lakh as ex-gratia, Rs 5 lakh for construction of dwelling unit, Rs two lakh as parent assistance and Rs two lakh for children education, he added.

MORE UNI AG PJ DS1520