Ex gratia to kin of soldiers in Maha less than other states

Pune: Maharashtra pays much less ex gratia to families of defence personnel who die in operations as compared to Telangana, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka and some others states.
The family of a Param Vir Chakra awardee gets Rs60 lakh much less than Telangana's Rs 2.25 crore, Punjab's Rs 2 crore and Haryana's Rs2 crore. Karnataka gives Rs1.5 crore, and Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Sikkim, and Tamil Nadu pay Rs 1 crore to the kin.
Maharashtra Sainik Welfare Board records show that the amount is even less for Ashok Chakra, Maha Vir Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Vir Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra gallantry awardees.Brigadier Rajesh Gaikwad (retd), the department's former director, told TOI that they had forwarded a fresh proposal to increase the one-time ex gratia amount to the state govt last year.
He added, "We proposed Rs2 crore for PVC, Rs1.5 crore for Ashok Chakra and the MVC, Rs1 crore for Kirti Chakra, Rs75 lakh for Vir Chakra, and Rs50 lakh for Shaurya Chakra. The proposal is with General Administration Department. The amount is increased every four years and the last revision was in 2019."
A total of 1,333 military personnel, including officers from Maharashtra, have received military awards and decorations since independence for outstanding bravery in battles and operations. Major RR Rane was the last army officer from Maharashtra awarded PVC for exceptional bravery in the 1948 Indo-Pak war.
There were 12 MVC awardees, including Captain MN Samant, who was instrumental in naval operations during the 1971 Indo-Pak war. MVC awardee sepoy Pandurang Salunke was among them. There are five Ashok Chakra, 16 Kirti Chakra, 97 Vir Chakra, and 54 Shaurya Chakra awardees, records show.
Deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis told TOI via text message, "When I was chief minister, the amount was Rs5 lakh. It was first raised to Rs25 lakh and then Rs50 lakh."
Joint secretary Rajendra Gurav of GAD, under which the department functions, told TOI, "We are expected to revise the amount every four years as per the guidelines of the Ministry of Defence. We have to raise the amount on par with other leading states in the country. The department will study the proposal before taking any decision on it."
The ex gratia is an incentive for the state's young men to join the armed forces every year. Lt Gen Rajendra Nimbhorkar (retd) said Maharashtra is one of the top five states to send military personnel to the armed forces for decades.
"It is surprising that the state govt awards paltry amounts to families of brave men who have sacrificed their lives for the country. Their kin need to be well looked after," he added. Lt Col RR Jadhav (retd), former deputy director of the department, blamed GAD not putting through its proposal for the last nine months.
"We have had several rounds of discussions and urged officials to consider the proposal on priority. Our requests have not been heeded to. Other states are sensitive about such matters. We expect a similar approach in the state," Jadhav told TOI.