• By Kamal Kumar
  • Tue, 24 Oct 2023 04:53 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND
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Agniveer News:  Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman died in the line of duty in the Siachen Glacier on Saturday, becoming the first soldier recruited under the Agnipath scheme to make the supreme sacrifice for the motherland. Agniveer Gawate died due to medical conditions arising out of the high altitude of Siachin. While his family was left in shock hearing the news of the passing of the braveheart, a controversy ensued around the compensation given to the Soldiers (Agniveers), recruited under the Agnipath scheme of Indian armed forces.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raked up the issue of compensation provided to the Agniveers and alleged that "no pension" will be provided to the family of the fallen Agniveer. He further accused the government of not providing gratuity and military facilities to the soldiers.

"The news of the martyrdom of Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman in Siachen is very sad. My deepest condolences to his family. A young man was martyred for the country - no gratuity, no other military facilities during his service, and no pension to his family in martyrdom," he wrote in his post. "Agniveer, there is a plan to insult the heroes of India," he attacked the government.

Though Rahul's post didn't receive any reaction from the government, the Indian Army itself came up with a clarification on the allegations. Refuting Rahul's claims, the Indian Army expressed firm support for the bereaved family and said that the compensation rules are governed by the relevant terms and conditions of the soldier's service.

{Deceased Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman. File Photo (Credit/ANI)}

Sharing details of the benefits, totalling over Rs 1 crore, which will be provided to Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman, Indian Army on X (formerly Twitter) wrote, "As per the terms of engagement of Agniveers, emoluments authorised to a deceased battle casualty will comprise: Non-contributory insurance sum, amounting to Rs 48 lakh. Seva Nidhi contributed by the Agniveer (30%), with an equal matching contribution by the Govt, and interest thereon. Ex-gratia of Rs 44 lakh. Pay of balance tenure from the date of death till the completion of four years (more than Rs 13 lakh in the instant case). Contribution of Rs 8 lakh from the Armed Forces Battle Casualty Fund. Immediate financial assistance of Rs 30,000 from Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA)".

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Agniveer vs Other Ranks: The Difference In Compensation

Details of death benefits to the kin of Agniveer-

Non-Contributory Insurance Fund Rs 48 Lakh
Ex-gratia amount Rs 44 Lakh
Seva Nidhi Contributions a sum of the amount contributed by the Agniveer, with an equal matching contribution by the Government
Armed Forces Battle Casualty Fund Rs 8 Lakh
Army Wives Welfare Association Contribution Rs 30,000

Along with these emoluments, full pay for an unserved period of up to four years (with effect from the date of death) including the Seva Nidhi component will also be paid. In the case of the Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman, this amount totals over 1 crore.

Seva Nidhi Package- It is the total amount that the government and soldiers, both contribute for four years every month. According to a document on service conditions on the website of the Indian Army, "On discharge at four years, the corpus of Rs 5.02 lakh will be matched by the GoI, an amount of Rs 10.04 lakh and accrued interest will be given to the Agniveers. In case of Agniveers who are subsequently selected for enrolment in the IA as regular cadre, the Seva Nidhi package to be paid to them will comprise only their contribution including accrued interest thereon."

Despite the Army's clarification, many continued debating the issue and some claimed that previous posthumous compensation to regular soldiers was better. In an answer to an unstarred question no. 2309, the Union Home Minister disclosed the following details of the compensation that is to be provided to the fallen soldier.

There is a classification based on the ranks in the army these include Commissioned Officer Ranks (CO), Junior Commissioned Officer ranks (JCOs), and Other ranks. Army's other ranks include Havildar, Naik, Lance Naik, and Sepoy.

Death Compensation For 'Other Ranks':

The details of benefits/compensation to Next of Kins (NoKs) of soldiers (Army personnel) (fatal battle casualties)-

I. Ex-gratia lump sum compensation from Central Government:- Ranging from Rs 25 lakh to Rs 45 lakh (any of the following)

(i) Death occurring due to accidents in the course of duties – Rs 25 lakh
(ii) Death in the course of duties attributable to acts of violence by terrorists, etc. - Rs 25 lakh
(iii) Death occurring during enemy action in war or border skirmishes or action against militants, terrorists, etc. – Rs 35 lakhs
(iv) Death occurring while on duty in the specified high altitude, inaccessible border posts etc on account of natural disasters, extreme weather conditions – Rs 35 lakh
(v) Death occurring during enemy action in international war or such war-like engagements specifically notified – Rs 45 lakh
(vi) Additional Ex-gratia for Battle casualties (BCs) from Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund - Rs 2 lakh

II. Details of other monetary benefits which the Next of Kin (NoK) of Battle Casualty are entitled to:
(i) Liberalised family pension as applicable to Battle Casualty that is equal to the last drawn salary and benefits by the deceased individual.
(ii) Death-cum-Retirement gratuity (DCRG) that is based on the length of service rendered and emoluments last drawn by the deceased individual.
(iii) Army Group Insurance Fund:
a. Officers - Rs 75 lakh
b. JCO/ORs - Rs 40 lakh
(iv) Army Group Insurance Maturity that is based on the contribution made by the deceased Army personnel.
(v) Armed Forces Personnel Provident Fund that is based on the contribution made by the deceased Army personnel.
(vi) Army Wives Welfare Association Fund: -
a. Officers - Rs.15,000/-
b. JCO/ORs - Rs.15,000/-
(vii) Army Central Welfare Fund – Rs 2,50,000/-
(viii) Death Link Insurance Scheme – Rs 60,000/-

III. Other Benefits: -
(i) Education Concession Card
(ii) Air Travel Concession Card
(iii) Telephone Concession
(iv) Compassionate appointment as per eligibility and qualification of next of kin.

Even though the monetary compensation in the case of Agniveer is higher with over Rs 1 crore, the soldiers of 'other ranks' incur pension benefits, concessions and reservations for the families. The bereaved family in the case of 'Other Ranks' soldier gets a lump-sum amount of 60-80 lakhs excluding the contribution of the state government.

We talked to Rahul Negi, a resident of Dehradun and nephew of Naik Surendra Singh Negi, who died on June 21, 2020, serving in the Mendar sector in Kashmir's Poonch.

While corroborating the above-stated facts he said, "Army not only take care of their soldier while serving but also when they get retired or lose their life while serving."

He also affirmed the above-stated emoluments and compensations while providing the details of compensation paid by the state government of Uttarakhand. He said that a total of Rs 11 lakh was provided by the state government.

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