Extension of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDGs) Ex-servicemen

The Union Cabinet today approved the extension of Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) facilities to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDGs). The scheme will be optional for retired ex-servicemen NDG Pensioners. Only NDG ex-servicemen pensioner (paid from Defence Estimates) are eligible for ECHS membership.

The cost of providing health care at the existing rates to 1,00,000 NDG along with their dependents will be about Rs.85 crore per year. The scheme will cover all the ex-servicemen of Indian Armed Forces/Dependents domiciled in Nepal.

The present ECHS scheme provides comprehensive and quality health care benefits to ex-servicemen. Extending it to NDGs ex-servicemen will meet a long outstanding need of their health care.

All other policies and procedures of ECHS, which are applicable in India, will also apply to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas ex-servicemen in Nepal.

There are about 1,00,000 ex-servicemen and their dependents domiciled in Nepal who will benefit from the ex-servicemen contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). They will be entitled for medical treatment under ECHS Scheme at Polyclinics, military hospitals and the ECHS empanelled civil hospitals in India. Emergency treatment in India under existing provisions would be available.

Application forms can be collected from the nearest Station HQ of Army/Navy/Air Force in India or from Defence Attaché at Kathmandu. Forms can also be downloaded from internet website www.indianarmy.nic.in/arechs.htm. War widows battle causalities and Pre-1996 retirees are exempted from payment of one time ECHS contribution. For others contribution will be as applicable in India in Indian Rupees.

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AD/RK