The Department of Sainik Welfare, Maharashtra State is the state level organization and is located at "Raigarh", opposite National War Memorial, Ghorpadi, Pune -411001. Department acts as a link between the Kendriya Sainik Board, New Delhi, The Government of Maharashtra and various Zilla Sainik Welfare Offices in the Maharashtra State.
Maharashtra State covers 3,07,713 Sq. Kms of Area. The overall population of the state is approximately 9,68,00,000. The state is divided into six divisions consisting of 35 Districts. The Strength of Ex-servicemen is approximately 1,90,000 and total strength of Ex-servicemen, widows and their dependents in the sate is approximately 9,00,000. About 5000 to 6000 personnel from Armed forces retire every year and join the stream of Ex-servicemen. Most of them come from The Maratha Light Infantry, Bombay Engineer Group, Mahar Regiment and limited subscription to all other Regiments/Corps of Army, Navy and Air Force.
The organizational setup, evolved over years of past experience, is based on the general guidelines issued by the central Government, Ministry of Defence. State has established a separate "Sainik Welfare" Department under Cabinet Minister with a Minister of State and dedicated Secretary with necessary staff at the Mantralaya Level.
Our aim is to strengthen and revitalize the existing organization at Department of Sainik welfare and various Zilla Sainik Welfare Offices, so that the welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen can be planned and implemented effectively. The future plan caters for strengthening and dispersing, if required, The District level organization so as to effectively undertake welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen up to Taluka(Tehsil) levels.
Following are some the main function of this Department :-
- To maintain close liaison with the State Government/District authorities and Director General Resettlement, the Service authorities, recruiting organisation and others on the matters pertaining to welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen.
- To Keep an upto-date record of orders and policy matters on Employment, Self-Employment and Welfare matters and apprise Ex-servicemen on the latest entitlements of benefits through media, sainik melawas, seminars, web site and so on.
- To co-ordinate the work of Zila sainik Welfare Offices in the State..
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To Exercise strict control over 'Welfare Funds', 'Special Fund', 'Flag Day Fund', Government Grants and their accounting and audit..
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To extend all benefits to the entitled Battle Casualties, war widows and gallantry award winners, Ex-servicemen and their families.
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To organise collection for Armed Forces Flag Day Fund through sale of flags, advertisements and so on.
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To Promote measures for the welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen and families of serving/deceased personnel of the Armed Forces.
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To Disseminate information to the general public regarding various aspects of Armed Forces in the Country and take measures to enhance interest in Armed forces amongst general public.
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Advice the civil administration on all matters pertaining to welfare and resettlement of Ex-servicemen
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To settle any grievances of Ex-servicemen and their widows on matters of pension by taking up cases with appropriate authority.
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To run Military Boys/Girls Hostels for children of serving / Ex-servicemen and Military Rest Houses for transient Ex-servicemen.
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To Organise Rajya Sainik Board Meetings, Special Fund Committee meetings periodically.