Dignity in death : Decent Last Rites assured to ex servicemen and their widows
To ensure honourable and befitting funeral for its deceased veterans (ex - servicemen) and widows, Indian Army is launching a new scheme. The scheme, Assured Decent Last Rites Scheme (ADLRS) is to be inaugurated by Lt Gen AS Jamwal, Adjutant General in Delhi cantonment tomorrow. It envisages having an organisation at each Army Canteen where veterans are attached. It will be manned by a selected field staff comprising of a Welfare Officer and Field officers. On intimation of the demise of a veteran or his widow, the field staff will move to his residence, contact family members and provide on the spot assistance required by the family and also organise the last rites, if required. The field staff will also inform other veterans of the area about the time and place of last rites. They will assist the family in organizing a decent funeral and lay a wreath on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff.
The scheme will he primarily financed and executed by CSD canteen where the deceased veteran was dependant. To implement the scheme, an organisation will be formulated at all Station Headquarters level. The size of such organisation will depend upon the size of the veterans population living in the area. For quick dissemination of information, the organisation will he assisted by the Army & NCC units, ECHS polyclinics and volunteer veteran organisations in the area.
The scheme will he implemented in two phases. In Phase – I, Delhi, Chennai and Lucknow are being covered and in Phase II rest of the country would be brought under the scheme.
All willing veterans including officers, JCOs and other ranks and their widows holding valid canteen cards would he ehgible for the ADLR Scheme. Under the scheme a grant of upto Rs 2500/- would he provided on the spot to the next of the kin for organizing last rites. In the absence of next of kin or on the request of the family, the field staff will take responsibility of organizing the last rites.
This grant will not he linked to existing “Demise Grant” of Rs 3000/- which will continue to be claimed as per existing orders on the subject. Properly executed, the scheme will go a long way in ensuring a befitting farewell to the veterans and spreading the message that the Indian Army cares for its veterans. This scheme is the only of its kind amongst all the Armies.
SKS/VKJ/RKJ
(Release ID :18184)