The Haryana Government has offered assistance to the Indian Army to set up a medical college in Panchkula and the land for the same would be provided by the State Government.
The Chief Minister Manohar lal made this offer to Army Commander, lt. General KJ Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command while presiding over the Civil Military liaison Conference-2016 on Wednesday.
While lauding the role of defence forces in safeguarding the motherland, the Chief Minister said that State Government is taking every possible step for welfare of serving soldiers as well as ex-servicemen.
He advocated for good liaison between the Army and civil administration and said that in case of Haryana, it is more important as although the State has only two per cent population of the country, its participation in defence forces is 10 per cent. Also, there are 2.82 lakh ex-servicemen in Haryana. Therefore, the State Government would always do its best for their welfare, he added.
The Chief Minister said that State Government has earmarked Rs56.33 crore for welfare of defence personnel and ex-servicemen and in future, these funds would be increased.
He also enlisted various welfare schemes and programmes being implemented for their welfare. The Chief Minister also announced a grant of Rs5 lakh for the think tank “Gyan Chakra”.
Earlier, while welcoming the Chief Minister, Army Commander, lt. General KJ Singh, GOC-in-C Western Command appreciated Haryana Government for allotting land for Jai Jawan Awas Yojna at Bahadurgarh and Karnal, educational institutes in National Capital Region and implementing other projects for welfare of defence personnel, ex-servicemen and their dependents.
Chief Secretary DS Dhesi said that this conference has a special meaning for Haryana as the state has maximum contribution in armed forces. Several forward looking progressive measures have been announced by the State Government for the welfare of serving soldiers and ex-servicemen, he said.
He added that State Government has started the process for recruitment in Rajya Sainik Board and Zila Sainik Boards.
While highlighting the internal security situation in the state, Director General of Police KP Singh said that 46 Deputy Superintendent of Police, 29 NGOs and 2476 constables are serving the police force from ex-servicemen category.
In addition to the ongoing recruitment of 1000 ex-servicemen, Chief Minister has also approved recruitment of 3000 special police officers in the state.
A number of issues of mutual interest and grievances redressal mechanism of serving soldiers were discussed in the meeting. As many as 19 issues of mutual interest were discussed including land issues, Pinjore Flying Academy, Convoy Grounds, Security of Military Stations, ITI Ambala, Grievance Redressal for serving soldiers and certain issues of Air Force.