Introduction
Overview: Leader of opposition Rahul Gandhi recently alleged that the family of Agniveer Ajay Kumar, who died in a landmine blast in January, did not receive financial assistance from the government. The government and Army have denied these claims, outlining the compensation provided to the families of Agniveers.
Significance: Understanding the compensation differences between Agniveers and regular soldiers is crucial for appreciating the structures in place for their support.
Compensation for Agniveers
1. Government Statement and Details
Rahul Gandhi's Allegations: Rahul Gandhi claimed that the family of Agniveer Ajay Kumar had not received compensation.
Rajnath Singh’s Assurance: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stated in Parliament that an Agniveer killed in the line of duty receives Rs 1 crore in compensation.
Army’s Clarification: The Army later confirmed that the family of the deceased Agniveer would receive Rs 1.65 crore, and detailed the components of this compensation.
2. Breakdown of Compensation
Insurance Components:
Central Government Insurance: Rs 48 lakh.
Financial Institutions Insurance: Rs 50 lakh under an MoU.
Additional Compensation:
Ex Gratia: Rs 44 lakh.
Army Welfare Fund: Rs 8 lakh.
Balance of Pay Until Completion of Tenure: Rs 13 lakh.
Seva Nidhi: Rs 2.3 lakh.
Initial Payment: The Army reported that Rs 98.39 lakh had already been paid to the family of the fallen Agniveer.
Compensation for Regular Soldiers
1. Categories of Death
Classification:
Regular Soldiers: Classified into five categories — A (not attributable to service), B and C (attributable to service), and D and E (acts of violence, enemy action).
Agniveers: Classified into three categories — X (not attributable to service), Y (attributable to service), and Z (acts of violence, enemy action).
2. Insurance and Ex Gratia
Insurance:
Regular Soldiers: Contribute Rs 5,000 per month towards the Army Group Insurance Fund, insuring them for Rs 50 lakh.
Agniveers: Insured for Rs 48 lakh without any contribution from their salary.
Ex Gratia:
Agniveers: Rs 44 lakh for deaths attributable to or aggravated by military service.
Regular Soldiers: Rs 25 lakh to Rs 45 lakh, depending on the nature of the casualty.
3. Additional Payments
Common Benefits: Both Agniveers and regular soldiers receive Rs 8 lakh for deaths in operations and Rs 2.5 lakh for other deaths.
Seva Nidhi for Agniveers: A contributory scheme providing the accumulated amount with government contribution and interest. Full pay for the unserved period up to four years is given for deaths on duty.
Exclusive Benefits for Regular Soldiers
1. Gratuity and Pensions
Gratuity:
Death Gratuity: 15 days’ pay for every completed year of service, up to Rs 25 lakh.
Family Pensions:
Ordinary Family Pension: 50% of the last pay drawn for up to 10 years, then 30% thereafter.
Special Family Pension: 60% of the last pay for deaths attributable to military service.
Liberalized Family Pension: 100% of the last pay for deaths in operations, tax-free and revised as per One Rank One Pay (OROP) and Pay Commission recommendations.
2. Educational Benefits
Children’s Education Allowance: Covers school/college fees, transportation, hostel charges, and uniform costs until graduation for children of soldiers who die due to operational reasons.
Educational Scholarships: Varying amounts for children and spouses of deceased soldiers for continuing education.
3. Health Benefits
Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS): Provides medical care to armed forces pensioners and their families, exclusive to regular soldiers.
Conclusion
Comparative Analysis: While both Agniveers and regular soldiers receive substantial compensation, regular soldiers have additional benefits like gratuity, pensions, and health schemes, reflecting their longer service tenure and different contractual terms.
Need for Clarity: Clear communication about compensation policies is essential to address public concerns and ensure that families of deceased service members receive their entitled benefits.
Relevance for Competitive Exams
UPSC CSE and CAPF Preparation: This article provides critical insights into defense policies, compensation structures, and administrative procedures, relevant for essay writing and current affairs.
Application to Multiple Exams: Understanding the nuances of military compensation is crucial for exams like NDA, CDS, SSB Interview, AFCAT, IAS, and IB ACIO. This knowledge helps candidates prepare for questions on defense, governance, and public policy.
Current Affairs Importance: Grasping the broader implications of such policies helps in comprehensive exam preparation and understanding the necessity of effective support systems for defense personne
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