Ex-servicemen’s bodies of Baleswar and Mayurbhanj districts have alleged that the Assured Decent last Rites Scheme (ADlRS) of the Central Government for the retired Defence personnel in the event of their death is not being implemented in true spirit.
The scheme includes a grant of Rs 2,500, which should be provided on the spot to the next of kin for assisting in organising decent and honourable last rites of the veterans.
Besides, a wreath would be placed on the mortal remains of the Army staff by the field staff of the nearest authorised Defence unit.
Mayurbhanj Ex-servicemen league general secretary AK Dalbehera said, “Earlier, the same rites were being conducted through the local ex-defence bodies, but now the station headquarter has been authorised to implement the scheme. Since the unit is looking after the implementation of scheme for retired personnel of Baleswar, Bhadrak, Mayurbhanj and Keonjhar districts, it is hardly possible on the part of the unit to perform the rites.”
“As there are remote and hostile places in Mayurbhanj, most of the time the field staffs entrusted to do the job are not reaching the venue. As a result, the deceased persons are deprived of last rites by the Defence. More so, the station headquarter is hardly equipped in terms of manpower, vehicle, etc., to carry forward the responsibilities,” he said.
Dalbehera pointed out that the earlier means of conducting the last rites through local bodies were better since the local Defence bodies knew each other and they were performing the rites without any problems. The dtation headquarter of Chandipur can implement the scheme, but for Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar and even remote pockets of Baleswar it is hardly possible on the part of the unit to do the job. “The new idea to implement the noble scheme through Defence establishments has utterly failed to meet its objective,” a functionary of the Baleswar league said. The ADlRS is currently executed by the station headquarter, Chandipur, a Defence unit.
The basic thematic consideration behind the scheme is that as part of moral obligation, the Defence ensures the last rites to the veterans who were once in service of nation. Under the scheme, the person deputed by the unit on ground as a representative would provide succour to the bereaved family. He would hand over the grant to the next of the kin or the person organising the last rites and obtain a receipt. Further, he would assist the family in organising decent rites, and in absence of the NOK or on request from the family would organise the last rites. He would also lay wreath on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff and maintain a photographic record.