ACTION IN CASE OF DEATH : EX OFFICERS
1. Even though death is
inevitable , our families and we are least prepared for such an eventuality . In most
cases the Widow/ Next of Kin do not know what should be done to get the dues and avail of
other benefits. Officers are advised to maintain a file on "Action to be taken"
with details duly filled in and explained to the Next of Kin, so that they can initiate
correspondence to avail of the under mentioned entitlements :-
(a) Family pension.
(b) Army Group Insurance Fund Benefits under extended insurance scheme
(If applicable).
(c) Army Officers Benevolent Fund.
(d) Canteen/Ration facilities.
(e) Benefits (if any) of Personal Accident policies issued with Medical
Claim Policies, Car Insurance Policies, Household Insurance Policies, credit card etc.
PLEASE OBTAIN AT LEAST 25 TO 30 OR MORE COPIES OF THE DEATH
CERTIFICATE FROM MUNICIPAL AUTHORITIES WHO MAINTAIN REGISTER OF BIRTH/DEATHS. THE
WIDOW/NEXT OF KIN SHOULD ALSO GET ABOUT 30 COPIES OF THEIR PHOTOGRAPHS DULY ATTESTED.
Information of Death
2. Death of an Officer is to be intimated/informed at the earliest to a large number of
authorities as per the suggested list given below :-
(a) In the case of death due to an accident, lodge an FIR at the nearest
Polices Station at the earliest . This will be required for claims on Insurance Companies
as well as for processing payment of compensation by the concerned authorities.
(b) AG's Branch/MP5 (b) , AG's Branch/PS4, AG's Branch/CW8(AOBF), and
Army Gp Insurance (for extended life cover). Download
Specimen letter.
(c) CDA (P) along with details of pension bank account in the name of
the widow. Download Specimen letter.
(d) Directorate of the Regt/Corps concerned (coord section).
(e) Station HQ for canteen/ration facilities, surrender of Identity Card
of the deceased officer. Download Specimen letter.
(f) Various clubs for for change of name of Head of Family.
(k) Income Tax Authority for finalizing the Tax return of the deceased.
(l) Bankers for encashment of FDR's Pension Loans etc.
(m) RTO for encashment of ownership of car/scooter.
(n) Licensing Authority of the Police for transfer of Private Fire Arms.
(o) LIC/GIC, if applicable , in respect of the insurance policies.
(p) If proper WILL exists, approach court having jurisdiction for
"Probate of WILL", and Succession Certificate for mutation of property, transfer
of shares etc.
(q) Zila / Rajya Sainik Welfare Board for widow Identity Card. Download Specimen letter.
(r) Concerned post office for settlement of deposits of Saving Bank
Account, NSS, NSC, PPF etc.
(s) Obtain Medical Treatment Entitlement Card (if not earlier obtained by
the officer) from AG's Branch MP 5 (b) . Download
Specimen letter.
PROCEDURE FOR CLAIM OF BENEFITS
ORDINARY FAMILY PENSION
3. The widow should open a Saving Bank Account in her single name,
preferably with the same Bank branch from where her late husband was drawing his pension.
The details of this Account number are to be sent to CDA (P) in the letter as per the specimen above refers. Parents and brothers /sisters
are not authorized ordinary family pension in case of officers who die as bachelors.
GRANT OF FAMILY PENSION FOR LIFE TO HANDICAPPED CHILDREN
4. A son or daughter of an officer, suffering from any disorder or disability of mind or
physically crippled or disabled, which renders him/her unable to earn a living even after
attaining the age of 25 years, is eligible for the grant of deration of claim of family pension to the
Handicapped child.
DEPENDENTS PENSION
5. Admissible in case of officers who die as bachelors on account of
causes attributable to service. The rate is 50% of the national amount of special family
pension that would have been sanctioned to the widow had the officer been married.
Dependent parents and their in their absence, dependent brothers/ sisters are eligible for
this pension.
ARMY GROUP INSURANCE FUND BENEFITS.
6. In case the officer had opted, and was covered under the Extended
Insurance Scheme, the amount will be paid by AGIF on submission of an application.
ARMY OFFICERS BENEVOLENT FUND
7. No formal application is required. Widow / NOK has to intimate death
of deceased officer to AG's Branch/ CW8 (AOBF) : who after verifying the records/details
will send an amount of Rs. 50,000/- as Demise Grant. This will be based on the letter.
CANTTEN / RATION FACILITIES
8. Widows of officers are entitled to avail of indigenous canteen stores
less specially allocated/ short supply items. For this purpose, the entitled individuals
are attached to the nearest station/ unit run canteen as convenient to Station HQ. Similar
action is to be taken for drawl of rations, up to permissible scale, on payment, from the
nearest sub unit. Ration and Canteen Cards are prepared by ht local unit/ Station HQ on
the authority of PPO and Identity Card. Specimen
LEGAL ASSISTANCE
9. This is being provided to the wives of serving personnel and widows
in consultation with legal Department of Army HQ. Similar facilities are also available at
Command level.
BENEFITS / CONCESSIONS GRANTED BY CENTRAL / STATE GOVTS/ UNION
TERRITORIES
10. In addition to pension and other benefits, widow/ NOK of Ex-service
personnel have been granted other concessions as given below:-
11. In order to assist Widows/ NOK in the rehabilitation process, a
number of welfare schemes have been initiated at the State level. Financial assistance for
various contingencies is also available. The benefits are available to the Widows/ NOKs
from respective State Govts/ UTs, who can be approached through the nearest Zila Sainik
board. Detailed information, where required , may be obtained from AG's Branch MP 5 (b) of
Kendriya Zila Sainik Boards.
OTHER CONCESSIONS
12. (a) Gallantry Award Winners are exempted from
paying Income Tax on their pension income.
(b) Heart patients, alone or along with upto one escort, are entitled to
75% concession on fare in any class when traveling by train for heart surgery in a
recognized Hospital and for return journey also. A certificate issue by officer in charge
of a recognized hospital on a prescribed proforma is required to be obtained for this
concession.
(c ) Cancer Patients, alone or along with up to one escort, are entitled
to 75% concession on fare in any class when traveling by train for treatment/ periodical
check up in a recognized Hospital and for return journey also. A certificate issued by
officer in charge of a recognized cancer hospital on a prescribed perform is required to
be obtained for this concession.
CONCESSIONS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
13. Senior citizens (those who are 65 years and above) have been given
concessions by various Govt. Agencies / departments . Some of the important ones are
listed below:-
(a) Total exemption of income Tax on annual income up
to Rs. 1,20,000.00
(b) Rebate of maximum of Rs. 1,50,000.00 on total
income tax for the year.
(c) Standard deduction on salary / pension up to
maximum of Rs. 25,000.00
(d) Tax rebate of up to Rs 14,000.00 for investment
in notified tax saving schemes.
(e) Not required to pay tax on Bank Interest
including interest on FDs up to Rs 12,000/- US 80L and UTI dividend, dividends
from companies and other specified mutual funds.
(f) 30% discount on rail fare for all classes of
travel ( In case of ladies who are 60 years old and above).
(g) 50% discount on basic air fare by Domestic airlines
(Sahara Airlines gives this discount to persons who are 62 years old, or above)