Soldiers given top priority in new India UP to double cash value of gallantry awards Adityanath

    Meerut (UP), Nov 14 (PTI) The new India gives top priority to its soldiers and is continuously strengthening the capabilities of its armed forces, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Saturday, accusing the previous government of "constantly compromising with the nation's defence".

    Speaking at the event 'Poorv Sainik Punarmilan Samaroh' in Meerut, Adityanath announced that the state government would double the monetary value of gallantry awards. This includes both the one-time grant and the annuity provided to the recipients.

    "From the revolutionary soil of Meerut, I make this announcement for the families of our brave soldiers: both the one-time lump-sum amount and the annuity for gallantry award recipients will be doubled. Currently, we provide a lump sum of Rs 52 lakh and an annuity of Rs 3,12,000 for Param Vir Chakra; a lump sum of Rs 31 lakh and an annuity of Rs 2,37,000 for Maha Vir Chakra, and a lump sum of Rs 20,80,000 and an annuity of Rs 1,37,000 for Vikra Chakra. All these will be doubled," he said.

    He made similar announcements for recipients of Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra, Sena Medal, Mention-in-Dispatch, Sarvottam Yudh Seva Medal, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal and Yudh Seva Medal.

    Among other welfare measures, Adityanath said the stamp duty exemption for house purchase by ex-servicemen and dependents of martyred soldiers has been increased from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

    He also announced that dependents of martyred soldiers will be provided jobs either in their home district or in the nearest possible district.

    The chief minister said ex-servicemen, including Kargil heroes, were mistreated in the past.

    "I recall an incident from 2016. Ganesh Kumar Shukla, a Kargil war veteran who had served in the Army's Mahar Regiment for 22 years, was beaten up by supporters of a political party leader, simply because he refused to salute the leader. To make matters worse, the police, instead of offering support, humiliated Shukla and filed an FIR against him," Adityanath said.

    Recalling another incident, he said, "When the mortal remains of Lance Naik Hemraj Singh, who was martyred at the Line of Control in 2013, arrived in his village, no administrative arrangements were made for his last rites."

    At the time, insults against soldiers were rampant, he said.

    "In 2015, 35-year-old Lance Naik Ved Mitra Chaudhary of the Engineering Brigade was murdered in Meerut after he tried to stop the molestation of a girl. Many will also recall the unfortunate incident in February 2014 in Etawah, where the family of a serving soldier was assaulted, and the local administration did not even deem it necessary to take any concrete action. All of this occurred because those in power then lacked any sense of respect for the nation's defence and its soldiers."

    The chief minister said the "nation's defence was continuously compromised" in the past and attempts were frequently made to undermine the valour and prowess of our brave soldiers.

    "Whenever a terror attack occurred, those in power would merely send a 'dossier' to the other side and consider their duty fulfilled. Or at most, they would offer a half-hearted condemnation. Today, we are proud that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, we shattered the arrogance of those who carry out terrorist attacks," he said.

    The chief minister said the government is establishing Sainik Schools across various regions of the state to prepare the youth for careers in the defence sector.

    "The new India gives top priority to its soldiers. Today, India is continuously strengthening the capabilities of its armed forces, modernising its military resources, and fostering self-reliance in defence production," he said.

    He said the 'double-engine' government fulfilled the four-decade-long demand for 'One Rank, One Pension' for soldiers. A National War Memorial has been established in Delhi, and the defence budget has been increased.

    Creation of the Chief of Defence Staff post has strengthened coordination among the three branches of the armed forces and fortified an integrated security strategy.

    The prime minister consistently celebrates Diwali with security forces at the borders. This year, he celebrated the festival alongside soldiers in Chhattisgarh's Bastar, Adityanath said, adding that Naxalism and terrorism have been eradicated from the country.

    Adityanath said the armed forces have been equipped with modern weaponry, and the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) in the defence sector has gained significant momentum.

    "It is a matter of pride that, through the defence corridor, Uttar Pradesh has become a key partner in the nation's defence preparedness. Missiles such as BrahMos -- the very missile that devastated Pakistan during Operation Sindoor -- are now being manufactured in Lucknow. Uttar Pradesh is no longer contributing only soldiers to the nation; it is also producing state-of-the-art weaponry for these soldiers," he said.

    The chief minister said most components for the indigenous AK-203 rifle are now being manufactured in Lucknow and Kanpur, with final assembly taking place at the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi. Ammunition for these weapons is also being produced in Kanpur.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)