Hooda announces concessions for ex-servicmen

Chandigarh, Jun 26: Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda announced a bonanza for the ex-servicemen and armed forces personnel which included waiving off two per cent entry tax on CSD items and ten per cent concessions in the price of plots being developed by HUDA in Defence Colonies in the state.

The Chief Minister stated this while presiding over the Civil-Military Liaision Conference held at Headquarters of Western Command, Chandi Mandir near here today.

Mr Hooda also announced to give a one time grant of Rs 10 lakh to Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Mohali and enhancing the yearly grant of this centre from Rs 60,000 to Rs 85,000 per inmate.

He said the Haryana government had taken a number of welfare decisions for the welfare of serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and their dependents.

The Chief Minister said Indian Army was one of the best in the world. ''We are proud of our soldiers. On one hand, the Indian soldiers have shown their exemplary courage in the battlefield and on the other made significant contribution in relief operations during natural calamities.'' He said terrorism was not a problem of any particular country but a global problem. Therefore, efforts should be made to make internal security stronger while being deeply conscious of the external security.

Mr Hooda said that Haryana had 1.37 per cent of the total geographical area of the country and its population was of about two per cent of the total population of the country. Still, every 10th soldier of Army hailed from Haryana. There were 2.80 lakh ex-servicemen in Haryana and their number increased by 2000 to 3000 every year, he added.

The Chief Minister said the Haryana Government would incur a sum of Rs 28 crore during the current financial year while it had incurred a sum of Rs 26.50 crore during last year for the welfare of serving soldiers, ex-servicemen and their dependents.

He said that Haryana government was also giving an ex-gratia grant of Rs 2.5 lakh to the dependents of martyr soldiers and ex-gratia grant ranging from Rs 50,000 to Rs One Lakh to the injured soldiers.

UNI