Faced with criticism from various quarters over its decision to cap educational expense to Rs 10,000 per month for children of martyrs, the Defence Ministry is having a rethink on it and is likely to retract it. Earlier, there was no ceiling on funds for their education till graduation. The total amount incurred to meet the educational expenses is only Rs four to five crore per annum. Moreover, the number of children is also not more than 3,500.
The order was promulgated in July this year and since then the defence ministry received many representations including those from the Services. Officials said a meeting on the issue was held in the ministry on Tuesday and Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is aware of the disquiet. Her ministry is now re-examining the matter and officials did not rule that the recap order may be withdrawn in the next few days.
Navy chief Admiral Sunil lanba in his capacity as Chairman, Chief of Staff Committee sought a review of the Government’s decision to put the cap. In a letter to the Defence Ministry, he urged the authorities to remove the ceiling.
Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh and Minister of State for External Affairs General(retired) VK Singh criticised the order to recap the educational allowance of children of martyrs. Earlier, there was no ceiling since this allowance was introduced after the 1971 war. After receiving several petitions to remove the cap of Rs 10,000, the defence ministry in November this year clarified to an Agra-based petitioner, wife of a lt. Colonel, that the ceiling was drafted as per the recommendations of the 7th Pay Commission.
The earlier scheme to entirely fund the cost of education of children of martyrs was announced in the lok Sabha on December 18, 1971, two days after the Pakistan Army surrendered to the Indian Army at Dhaka. The scheme entailed that children of martyrs will be exempted from paying tuition and other fees school onwards. Officials said the Government bears the expense till the candidate completes his or her graduation including MMBS and B. Tech.
Given the engagement of Indian armed forces in many operational areas, the defence ministry in 1990 amended its scheme to include children of officers and jawans killed or disabled in Siachen (Operation Meghdoot) and Indian Peace Keeping Mission(Operation Pawan in Sri lanka). The scheme was extended in 2003 also to cover children of those killed or disabled in counter-insurgency operations, officials said.
The latest order in July to cap the expenses spread panic amongst students now studying in various courses including professional leading to disquiet amongst the personnel, officials admitted.