6 Jan :The 28th Meeting of the Kendriya Sainik Board will be held tomorrow. Defence Minister Shri AK Antony will preside over the meeting which will be attended by Governors and Chief Ministers of seven states. The Chiefs of the three Armed Forces will also attend the meeting This Board functions under the Ministry of Defence as an Inter Service Organisation. There are 32 Rajya Sainik Boards and 358 Zila Sainik Boards in the country.
The total expenditure for running of these establishments is shared between the Centre and the States/UTs on 50:50 basis. Several important issues relating to welfare and rehabilitation of ex-Servicemen are expected to be discussed which include relaxation in the physical efficiency test for re-employment of Ex-Servicemen into State Police Services, Uniform pay scales for all Ex-Servicemen employed in Department of Sainik Welfare of Various States / UTs, removal of disparity in welfare packages (cash award for gallantry awardees) extended by State Governments, enhancing the scope of employment of Ex—Servicemen in Defence establishment/Defence PSUs and steps for quick filling up of vacant posts in Rajya Sainik Boards (RSB) and Zila Sainik Boards (ZSB).
The Board is also likely to discuss the need for introduction of a single identity card for ex-Servicemen and discontinuation of retired officers ID card issued by the respective Service Headquarters. It will also explore the possibility of sharing of expenditure between the Centre and States towards pay & allowances and establishment costs for RSB/ZSBs.
Kendriya Sainik Board is the Apex Body of Govt of India, which formulates policies for Resettlement and Welfare of approximately 30 Lakhs Ex-Servicemen and their widows. The Board has Hon’ble Raksha Mantri as its President and members of the Board include Chief Ministers, Ministers in other Central/State Govt departments, the three Services Chiefs, Defence Secretary, Secretary, Defence Finance, retired defence officers, ladies, and retired JCOs.
The Board meets once a year to review outstanding issues related to resettlement and welfare of Ex-Servicemen and considers new problems and schemes. The Secretariat of Kendriya Sainik Board is headed by a serving officer of the rank of Brigadier or equivalent from the Navy/Air Force.