Ex-servicemen get shot in the arm

CHENNAI : The Department of Ex-servicemen’s Welfare functions as a directorate with offices in 25 districts. Various welfare measures for the families of battle casualties, ex-servicemen and their dependents, and families of serving defence personnel are implemented by this department.As on March 31, 2012, a total of 2,20,898 ex-servicemen and widows of ex-servicemen have registered with the department. The important welfare measures for them include resettlement and rehabilitation schemes, family welfare measures and other financial assistance and honours bestowed on battle casualties and cash grants for deeds of valour.During the just-concluded budget session, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa had enhanced the lifetime monthly financial grant for veterans of the Second World War from `1,000 to `2,000. Similarly, the grant for widows of Second World War veterans has been hiked from `800 to `1,500.Besides, the present wages of contract employees of Tamil Nadu Ex-servicemen’s Corporation Limited (TEXCO) has been enhanced  by 10 per cent, by which 6,800 contract employees will be benefited. Besides, new district offices would be opened in Namakkal and Dharmapuri districts.