Dependents of Soldiers Martyred in War or Military Operations to Receive ₹50 Lakh Ex-Gratia

Param Vir Chakra awardees to get ₹1 crore ex-gratia
Decision taken in State Soldiers’ Board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnudev Sai

Raipur, Sept 2025: The ex-gratia amount for the wives or dependents of soldiers martyred in war or military operations has been increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh. Similarly, the ex-gratia amount for soldiers awarded gallantry decorations during war or military actions has also been revised. From now on, Param Vir Chakra awardees will receive ₹1 crore instead of ₹40 lakh. This important decision was taken today during the State Soldiers’ Board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Shri Vishnudev Sai.

The 6th meeting of the State Soldiers’ Committee under the Department of Soldiers’ Welfare was held today at Mahanadi Bhavan. Addressing the meeting, CM Sai said, “Our soldiers sacrifice their lives for the security of the nation. We bow to their courage and supreme sacrifice. The government remains committed to the welfare of ex-servicemen and their families.” The meeting also discussed various welfare schemes being run by the state for war widows, ex-servicemen, and their dependents.

Highlighting the role of the armed forces, the CM said, “Our brave soldiers stand vigilant day and night for the security of 140 crore Indians. Ensuring the welfare of these valiant sons of Bharat Mata who dedicate their lives in her service is the responsibility and duty of all of us.” He added that the decisions taken in today’s meeting will directly benefit ex-servicemen and their families. Several valuable suggestions for improving their welfare were also presented by members, which will be considered positively.

During the meeting, several key agenda points were approved in the interest of ex-servicemen, widows, and their dependents. These include:

• Increasing the ex-gratia for dependents of soldiers martyred in war or military operations from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh.
• Enhancing the ex-gratia for gallantry awardees, with Param Vir Chakra recipients now to receive ₹1 crore instead of ₹40 lakh.
• Increasing the annual war reward for soldiers’ parents from ₹5,000 to ₹20,000.
• Raising the grant for soldiers disabled during war or military operations from ₹10 lakh to ₹30 lakh.
• Providing exemption in stamp duty up to ₹25 lakh on the first purchase of land/house for serving soldiers, ex-servicemen, and war widows.

On this occasion, Chief Secretary of Chhattisgarh, Shri Amitabh Jain, presented a sapling to the Chief Minister. Brigadier Vivek Sharma (VSM, Retd.), Director of the Soldiers’ Welfare Directorate and Secretary of the State Soldiers’ Committee, briefed the meeting about the activities of the State Soldiers’ Board. He presented a progress report on the decisions of the 5th meeting held on January 13, 2012, and initiated discussion on the agenda items of the 6th meeting.

Those present included Deputy CM Shri Vijay Sharma, MP from Raipur Shri Brijmohan Agrawal, General Officer Commanding of Central India, Lt. Gen. Padam Singh Shekhawat (PVSM, AVSM, SM), Additional Chief Secretary Home Shri Manoj Pingua, Principal Secretary to CM Shri Subodh Kumar Singh, Secretary to CM Shri Rahul Bhagat, Secretary of Central Soldiers’ Board, New Delhi, Brigadier D.S. Basera (VSM), Commander of Chhattisgarh & Odisha Sub Area, Brigadier Tejinder Singh Bawa (SM), Finance Secretary Shri Ankit Anand, Secretary of General Administration Shri Avinash Champawat, Major General Sanjay Sharma (Retd.), Wing Commander A. Srinivas Rao (Retd.), Shri Vikrant Singh, and Shri Rajesh Kumar Pandey, along with members of the State Soldiers’ Committee, Chhattisgarh.