(a) whether several widows of Kargil Martyrs are still facing difficulties in maintaining their families;
(b) if so, the number of such widows;
(c) whether several widows are still waiting for allotment of agriculture land, plot for construction of houses and allotment of petrol pumps which were promised to be provided within three years; and
(d) if so, the time by which the promised facilities would be given to those widows?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)
(a) to (d): A statement is attached.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1512 FOR 27.2.2003
As a measure of rehabilitation of widows of Kargil martyrs, they have been paid an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 10 lakhs each and sanctioned liberalized family pension equal to the last pay drawn by the deceased soldier on completion of necessary legal requirements. They are also given an amount of Rs. 5 lakhs for housing and Rs. 1 lakh per child or Rs. 2 lakhs per family for education of children from the National Defence Fund (NDF). However, the welfare package is yet to be implemented in respect of Smt. Suman w/o Late Gnr Perminder Singh and Major (Dr) Rajshree Gupta w/o Late Major Vivek Gupta as the matter is subjudice.
As regards allotment of petrol pumps, 460 widows/Next of Kin have submitted their applications for allotment of oil product agencies under a special scheme meant for widows of Kargil martyrs. These applications were forwarded to Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas out of which in 308 cases Letters of Intent have been issued.