In a decision that will benefit nearly 1,000 ex-Army men working in different paramilitary forces on contract basis, Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday ordered that in the event of a line-of-duty death such soldiers will get benefits akin to a regular personnel.
As per the rules, next of kin of all regular personnel of the paramilitary forces like CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB among others get Rs15 lakh as compensation if one dies in fighting terrorists or Maoists or any adversaries.
However, ex-service men, who have joined the paramilitary forces do not get any compensation if they are killed in the line-of-duty as they are contractual employee and their service agreement do not provide for any financial benefits to the family members.
"The Home Minister has personally intervened on the issue and removed the anomalies. Henceforth, next of kin of former army men will get the benefit if anyone of them is killed in line-of-action," a Home Ministry official said.