Question : WELFARE FUND FOR WIDOWS OF SOLDIERS

(a) whether there is a large number of non- Governmental Organisations functioning for the welfare of widows of defence personnel;

(b) whether they are registered and what are their mode of collection and accounting of funds;

(c) whether any grant is given to them by the Government and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether there is a large scale misappropriation of welfare fund and its utilisation; and

(e) if so, the steps being taken to identify and penalise such non-Governmental Organisations and individuals?

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)


(a)to(e): Government have no information about non- Governmental organizations engaged in welfare activities for war-widows, nor has any grant been provided by the Government to any such organization except the War Widows Association in New Delhi. The War Widows Association is a registered body under Societies Registration Act and is engaged in the welfare of war widows. The Association has, since 1988, been given a grant of Rs.4,29,534/-. Government have not received any complaint regarding misappropriation of funds provided to the Association.