(a) whether the widows of soldiers who sacrificed their lives during various operations before January 1, 1999 are not being given the status of war widows;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to remove the disparity?
(SHRI BIJOY KRISHNA HANDIQUE)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE AND
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(a) No, Sir. When a soldier dies in any operation, there is a system of declaring him as a battle casualty as per the prescribed procedure. Widows of such battle casualties are commonly known as war widows.
(b) & (c): Various benefits are given to the war widows/next of kin of the battle casualties depending on the nature of the operations.