Raipur, September 15, 2025 : The ex-gratia amount provided to the wives or dependents of soldiers martyred in war and military operations (battle casualties) has been increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh. Param Vir Chakra awardees will now receive ₹1 crore gallantry award instead of ₹40 lakh. These landmark decisions were taken today at the Rajya Sainik Board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai.
The sixth meeting of the Rajya Sainik Board under the Department of Soldiers’ Welfare was held today at Mahanadi Bhavan, chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai. On the occasion, the CM said, “Our soldiers lay down their lives for the security of the nation. We bow to their valour and sacrifice. The government is committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.” The meeting also discussed various welfare schemes run by the state for war widows, ex-servicemen, and their dependents.
Addressing the committee, CM Sai said that the safety of 140 crore Indians rests on the tireless dedication of the nation’s brave soldiers. “It is the duty and responsibility of all of us to ensure the welfare of these sons of Bharat Mata who dedicate their lives in her service. Today’s meeting has resulted in fruitful discussions for the benefit of ex-servicemen, widows, and their families. The decisions taken will directly benefit them. Several important suggestions were also given by members for the betterment of ex-servicemen, which will be positively considered,” the Chief Minister added.
During the meeting, several important agenda points were approved in favour of ex-servicemen, widows, and their dependents. These include: increasing the ex-gratia for wife or dependents of battle casualties from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh; enhancing the amount for gallantry award recipients, with Param Vir Chakra awardees now to receive ₹1 crore instead of ₹40 lakh; raising the motivational grant given to parents of soldiers from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000; and increasing the grant for soldiers disabled in war and military operations from ₹10 lakh to ₹30 lakh. Additionally, serving soldiers, ex-servicemen, and widows will now receive stamp duty exemption up to ₹25 lakh on their first land or house purchase.
The meeting began with a welcome of the Hon’ble Chief Minister. Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh Government Amitabh Jain presented him with a sapling. Subsequently, Brigadier Vivek Sharma, VSM (Retd), Director of Soldiers’ Welfare Directorate, Chhattisgarh, and Secretary of the Rajya Sainik Board, presented a brief report on the activities of the Rajya Sainik Board. He also presented the progress report on the proceedings of the fifth Rajya Sainik Board meeting held on 13 January 2012, before initiating discussions on the agenda items of the sixth meeting.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma, Raipur MP Brijmohan Agrawal, General Officer Commanding, Central India Area, Lt. Gen. Padam Singh Shekhawat (PVSM, AVSM, SM), Additional Chief Secretary Home Department Manoj Pingua, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to the Chief Minister Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of Kendriya Sainik Board, New Delhi, Brigadier D.S. Basera, VSM, Commander Chhattisgarh & Odisha Sub Area Brigadier Tejinder Singh Bawa, SM, Secretary Finance Department Ankit Anand, Secretary General Administration Department Avinash Champawat, Major General Sanjay Sharma (Retd), Wing Commander A. Srinivas Rao (Retd), Vikrant Singh, and Rajesh Kumar Pandey, members of the Rajya Sainik Board, Chhattisgarh.
