Shimla: Health and Sainik Welfare Minister Dr. (Colonel) Dhani Ram Shandil said that about 14.5 percent of the population in the state included serving soldiers, ex -servicemen and their dependents. The state government was committed to protect the interests of this class of population. He was presiding over a review meeting of Sainik Welfare Department here today.
The Health Minister said that Himachal Pradesh was the land of valor and its brave sons always had the highest representation in the armed forces. He said that the soldiers of the state have displayed exemplary courage and selflessness by serving on borders to protect India’s sovereignty and integrity.
He said that vacant posts in the Sainik Welfare Department will be filled by priority by the state government. He directed the officials to expedite the completion of various ongoing projects, including Sainik Rest House, Training Academy and War Memorial under construction in Nurpur and Fatehpur. He said that the state government will provide all possible assistance and necessary funds to complete these projects on time. He said that the state government will give priority to the work of war memeorial and will also ensure the maintenance of the statue and military rest house of Major Somnath Sharma being built in Hamirpur district.
The minister further said that the state government will soon set up the State Sainik Board and Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Fund Management Committee. Apart from this, experienced aid centers will be installed at non-monitoring stations in Una, Hamirpur, Mandi and Bilaspur districts.
Keeping in mind the difficult terrain and low population density, the minister said that the issue of opening additional CSD canteen and extension counters will be raised with the Central Government.
He said that between 15 January and 10 June this year, 118 ex -servicemen were provided employment in security services on outsourced basis. Forty trucks owned by ex -servicemen have been deployed in cement factories. Pre-service contribution under the Health Scheme, about Rs. Financial assistance of. 8 lakhs have been provided. A total of 4,103 ex -servicemen from Himachal have been employed in 144 projects in various states of the country. Apart from this recruitment of 73 security personnel in AIIMS Bilaspur, AIIMS is going on.
Sainik Welfare Department Director Brigadier Madansheel, Special Secretary Harbans Singh Braksan and other senior officials were present at the meeting.
