Historical Background

In a Government Resolution dated 7th September 1919, the then Government of India suspended the functioning of the Central Recruiting Board and at its place a new Board was established called the Indian Soldiers Board to advise on matters affecting the interest of serving, discharged and deceased Indian Soldiers and non-combatants and their dependents. This Board was then affiliated to the Army Department of the Government.

Due to the steady expansion of the Navy and the Air Force during the Second World War, the need for a single organisation to perform the same functions in relation to all the three services was felt and the Board was consequently reconstituted in April 1944. Later in March 1951, it was renamed as the Indian Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen's Board. The designation of the Board was changed to the Kendriya Sainik Board in 1975. This Board functions under the Ministry of Defence as an Inter-Services Organisation.

Though welfare of the ESM and their dependents is the joint responsibility of the Centre and the State / UTs, however, majority of the problems have to be resolved only by the States / UTs. To assist the State Government in this regard, there are 31 Rajya Sainik Boards in the country. Like the Kendriya Sainik Board at the Centre, the Rajya / Zila Sainik boards are advisory bodies in respect of policy formulation with regard to resettlement and welfare of ESM residing in States / Zilas. However, the implementation of various resettlement and welfare schemes is carried out through Department of Sainik Welfare in States and Zila Sainik Welfare Offices at Zilas.

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Composition of Kendriya Sainik Board and it's Constitution

KSB is the Apex Body of the Government of India which formulates policies for resettlement and welfare of ESM. The Board has Hon'ble Raksha Mantri as its President and has many members.

The Board meets once a year to review outstanding issues related to resettlement and welfare of ESM and consider new problems and schemes. The Secretariat of KSB is headed by a serving officer of the rank of Brigadier or equivalent from the Navy/Air Force.

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Department of Zila Sainik Welfare

At the State level, the resettlement and welfare of ESM is handled by one of the Ministries in the State Govt. and the Secretary of the Dept. concerned oversees the work of Dept. of Sainik Welfare. The Depts. of Sainik Welfare exercise general control and supervision over the Zila Sainik Welfare Offices some of which cover more than one revenue District. Generally,  the Chief Minister of the state is the Chairman of the Rajya Sainik Board in the State and Collector is the Chairman of the Zila Sainik Board. The Secretaries to the Rajya Sainik Board are invariably the Directors of the Department of Sainik Welfare and the Secretaries to the Zila Sainik Boards are the Zila Sainik Welfare Officers.The Zila Sainik Welfare Offices are established in Zilas which have population of 7,500 and above of ESM, widows, dependents and families of serving Defence personnel left behind. However, in certain districts in remote / hilly areas the population limitation of minimum of 7,500 can be waived off as stipulated in the rules.

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Rajya Sainik Board

The composition of the Rajya Sainik Boards is as follows :-

Note : DGR and Secretary, KSB are special invitees at the meetings.

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Zila Sainik Board

The Composition of Zila Sainik Boards is given below :- 

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Directorate General Resettlement (DGR)

The DGR has been given the overall responsibility for resettlement of ESM (including officers), their widows and dependents and the disabled service personnel. Various welfare activities are carried out by Secretariat of KSB and resettlement schemes implemented through the Directorate of the DGR. The schemes of the DGR can be specifically categorised under the following heads :-

(a) Re-employment.

(b) Self-employment.

(c) Training.

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Zonal Resettlement Directorates

The DGR has five Zonal Resettlement Directorates co-located with each of the five HQs Army Commands. These Directorates are the representatives of the DGR and are responsible to look after the resettlement and welfare of ESM in the respective Zones. These Directorates functions under the directions of DGR and provide a link between the DGR, Command HQs of all Services in the Zones, State Govts and Deptts of Sainik Welfare.

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Command Placement Cell (CPC), HQ Western Command, Chandimandir and  Nodes

The Army Placement Agency has been established with the aim of finding a second career option for retired servicemen (Officers / JCOs / ORs / Widows). It has offices all over India. CPC, Chandimandir is primarily looking after the states of Haryana, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Part of Rajasthan and Delhi. The categories of personnel that may be of interest to the employees are Senior and middle level Managers, Drivers, Auto Mechanics, Diesel Mechanics, Clerks, Computer Operators, Store Keepers and General Administrators.

All category of ESM are free to contact CPC, Chandimandir or call on any working day between 9a.m. to 1.30 p.m. for their human resources needs. they may also get in touch with under mentioned Army Placement Nodes :-

The Registration fees is as under :-

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Western Command AWWA

General. Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) is a registered Society under Act XXI of 1860 and as amended by Punjab Amendment Act 1957. This organisation has been registered since 24 Sept. 1986.

Aim. The aim of this organisation is to improve the quality of life and make better facilities available to our men and families.

Organisation. AWWA, Chandimandir functions under the wife of the Army Commander as its President. The wife of the COS is the Vice President. In this HQs, A Branch provides secretariat, support and co-ordinates all activities on behalf of and under directions of the President.

Similar Organisations of AWWA exist at other locations with their formation Commanders Wives as Presidents and function on the directions of President, Chandimandir AWWA. These are located as under :-

Functions. The ventures undertaken are on the lines meant for the welfare of the personnel. AWWA ensures rehabilitation of war widows and battle casualties, provide financial assistance to the widows and dependents, grant scholarship to promising children, ESM and destitute children of war widows and Jawans. AWWA has been in the forefront to settle the Kargil war widows.

In addition, AWWA also undertakes to run nursery schools in various stations, Special Child Care Centre i.e. ASHA for the handicapped children of the Army personnel, promote adult education among the families of serving personnel and run hostels for widows, boys and girls pursuing higher education.

The endeavour is to train personnel to the extent that the ventures become self sustainable in course of time. At the moment these ventures are being looked after with the self generated finances only.

AWWA Ventures Chandimandir Cantt. A number of AWWA ventures have been undertaken at Chandimandir Cantt. Besides providing basic facilities and necessities, vocational training and computer education, these ventures have provided temporary employment to a number of retired persons, their widows and dependents.

(a) Shiwalik Shopping Complex. The aim of this Shopping Complex is to provide items of daily utility to families of all ranks at reasonable rates and under one roof. The following shops are being run:-

1. Provision Shop.
2. Textile Shop.
3. Shoe Shop.
4. Vegetable & Bakery Shop.

(b) AWWA Cafeteria. This is located in the vicinity of AWWA Shopping Complex and Activity Centre and caters for vegetarian South Indian dishes like Idly, Vada, Dosa and Sambar.

(c) Defence Institute of Information Technology (DIIT). DIIT, Chandimandir has 30 state of art computers with allied facilities to match the best in this part of the country. So far, it has trained 1,000 officers, JCOs, men and families. The DIIT has proved to be immensely popular.

(d) AWWA Driving School, Chandimandir. A Driving School is functioning since 5 May 1997. A Maruti Car has been purchased and 324 gents / ladies have been trained so far.

(e) Beauty Parlour. Beauty Parlour is run by Mrs. Veena Saini, a professional beautician who caters to the needs of the ladies and runs two types of courses.

(f) Typing Institute, Chandimandir. Typing Institute has been provided within the AWWA Shopping Complex. It is being run on highly subsidised fees.

(g) Tailoring Institute, Chandimandir. Tailoring Institute has been provided within the AWWA Shopping Complex. It is being run on highly subsidised rates. Two regular courses are being run in a year. Towards the end of the tailoring session a test is conducted by USHA International Ltd., Jullundur and certificates are issued.

(h) AWWA Servicing Station, Chandimandir. A servicing station at Chandimandir was formally inaugurated on 12th December 1998 to meet the popular demand of our ladies in the station. The servicing station is providing basic maintenance and servicing facilities including repairs for two and four wheel vehicles. A kerb side pump has been established and is functioning.

(i) ASHA School, Chandimandir. This school is functioning since July 1992. ASHA Schools are also functioning at Ambala, Meerut, Dehradun and Bathinda.

(j) Shishu Niketan, Separated Family Accommodation, Chandigarh. A Nursery School started functioning in separated family accommodation at Chandigarh w.e.f. 1st January 1994 to meet the requirement of educating children of 3 to 6 years age group, belonging to the separated families of JCOs and ORs living in separated family accommodation in Sector 28 & 29, Chandigarh. It was named 'ASHA Shishu Niketan'. A lady doctor has been employed to look after the separated families.

(k) Golden Jubilee Nursery School. This school was established in September 1997 to mark the Golden Jubilee of Western Command. The school caters for the children in KG classes.

(l) Rehabilitation of Widows. In order to alleviate the distress of war widows, all units have been asked to adopt 2 to 3 widows in their area of jurisdiction. In order to extend the benefits to a wider section, the units are being asked to adopt a fresh set of widows every six months.

(m) Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centre, Mohali. Late Gen. T.N. Raina, MVC, COAS had decided to open a Paraplegic Home at Mohali for war wounded para / tetraplegics. The admission has since then been opened to other para / tetraplegics also, subject to availability of accommodation. In this home, vocational training is imparted to inmates and their families to enable them to become financially self sustaining. The Home was constructed out of funds provided by KSB in 1977 with the initial grant of Rs 54.47 lakhs. It is registered as Charitable Society under Registration Act XXI of 1860. It was commissioned on 30th November 1978 by Gen. O.P. Malhotra, PVSM, COAS. There are 22 inmates of whom eight are living with their families. Th expenses incurred on the Home are borne by the KSB. In addition, certain State Govts are also requested to contribute funds to the Home.

(n) Handicapped Children School Fund. This fund provides financial support to ASHA School, Chandimandir.

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Army Welfare Education Scheme Cell HQ Western Command

AWES Cells at HQ Western Command have been established to improve the quality of education in Army / Army Public Schools and AWES run Institutions. These cells have been established to ensure a single agency to co-ordinate works of schools / AWES run Institutions to whom these institutions can look upto for any clarification / guidelines. Similarly, flow of information to and fro from schools to AWES and from AWES to schools should be free and at the fastest speed for quick and efficient implementation AWES policies and plans.

AWES Cell at HQ Western Command is headed by Director AWES. Present incumbent is Wg Cdr (Retd.) Avtar Singh (Telephone No. 862764).

Army Schools. These are total of 23 Army Schools and 4 Army Public Schools under this Command. All these schools are affiliated to CBSE. No denial policy is being followed for admission to Army Schools in respect of Defence Persons. However, admission to APSs is through written test on all India basis and performance based. Priority of admission to Army Schools is as under :-

1. Children of serving Army Persons including DSC personnel and Army War Widows, Assam Rifles, TA (with a minimum of 10 years embodied service).
2. Children of Army ESM, DSc personnel retired with pension from DSC.
3. Children of serving Air Force and Naval personnel.
4. Children of retired Air Force and Naval personnel.
5. Children of civilians paid out of Defence Estimates, Para Military Forces, MES, GREF, TA (when not embodied).
6. Other children, Lok Sahayak Sena.

   Army Public Schools are located at:

   APS Jalandhar Cantt	APS Dakshai	APS Noida
   APS Beas	APS Dhaula Kuan	APS Delhi Cantt

   Army Schools are located at:

   AS Ambala Cantt	AS Fazilka	AS Faridkot
   AS Patiala	AS Sriganganagar	AS Kota
   AS Sangrur	AS Suratgarh	AS Amritsar
   AS Nahan	AS Itarana (Alwar)	AS Ferozepur
   AS Dehradun	AS Lalgarhjattan	AS Kapurthala
   AS Bathinda	AS Hissar	AS Tibri (Gurdaspur)
   AS Bikaner	AS Abohar	AS Chandimandir

Army Institute of Law (AIL). AWES has established an AIL for the welfare of wards of Defence Persons. The Institute runs a five years integrated course of Law after 10+2 leading to LLB degree and admission is through All-India Basis Entrance Test normally being conducted in March / April each year. There are a total of 60 seats out of which 48 seats are reserved for wards of Defence Persons. At present the Institute is temporarily located at Patiala and being shifted to its permanent location at Mohali where the Institute building is under construction at the cost of Rs.10 crores. The new session (2003-2004) will be at Mohali. It is a fully residential Institute and hostel facilities for both boys and girls are available. Following new courses are likely to be added :-

1. Diploma in Cyber Law.
2. Diploma in Law and Medicine.
3. Diploma in Corporate Law.
4. LLM (2 years).

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Western Command ESM Helpline.

ESM today are handicapped due to shrinking families. Moreover their requirements in old age also increase due to inherent ageing and medical problems. Under these circumstances these senior citizens feel helpless and dejected. To help resolve day to day problems of ESM & their widows  and dependents, Lt Gen SS Mehta, PVSM, AVSM**, VSM, ADC, Army Commander , Western Command conceived an idea of extending our hand in uniform to our retired bretherens, their widows / dependents by establishing a Helpline. As per Army Commander’s directions the Helpline has been established at Command   Hospital, Chandimandir and inaugurated on 15^th September 2002. ESM Helpline nodal centers are also planned to be opened at all major cantonments, under Western Command, with substantial ESM population.

We are thankful to our Army Commander for having shown us this path of service and for his untiring efforts for the welfare of our ex soldiers and their widows/families.

Scope. The Helpline will limit itself to providing assistance in resolving day to day problems of ex-servicemen and their widows/dependents only. This org will not be responsible in resolving disputes, pursuing legal cases, or representing ex-servicemen and their widows in any forum or org for such cases.

Functions. The Helpline will provide the following help to ESM and their widows \ dependents of Chandigarh, Panchkula and Mohali : -

1. Make available latest information as required by the ESM.

2. Provision of emergency Taxi service on request on payment.

3. Provision of Ambulance on request on payment.

4. Co-ordinate provision of Punjab Red Cross Ambulances and Funeral Van on request on payment.

5. Co-ordinate Medical assistance in Command Hospital.

6. Resolve problems relating to renewal of CSD and Ration cards etc.

7. Guidance and Liasion for Arms and Driving Licences, Registration of new vehicles, transfer of old vehicles and obtaining Domicile certificate.

8. Liasion with Station HQs Chandimandir and Chandigarh for outstanding requests of ESM.

9. Provision of necessary hospitality services.

10. Coordination with 'A' branch HQ Western Command for problems involving intervention at their level.

Organisation. ESM Help line has following organisation, which may be reviewed at a later stage:- 

1. Officer-In-Charge   - Col / Lt Col.

2. Clerk cum Computer Operator.

3. Drivers. 

Resources.   ESM Help line has following resources:- 

1. Location -    Command Hospital, Chandimandir. 

2. Phone Numbers    

3. Phone Number (Punjab Red Cross)

During Working hours  Summer (8:00 a.m to 1:30 p.m) Winters (8:30 a.m to 2:00 p.m)	587624,   867624
During Off hours	589053 867519

Conclusion. ESM Helpline will be our continued commitment to our retired bretherens and their families/dependents. In all humility, we will endeavour to alleviate their day to day sufferings and provide them with much needed succour. Your suggestions and advice to improve our services will always be welcomed.

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