GUWAHATI, Oct 5 - The 47th meeting of State Managing Committee (SMC) with Governor Prof Jagdish Mukhi in the chair, was held at Sainik Bhawan, Directorate of Sainik Welfare, here today.
Speaking at the meeting, the Governor said, �It is a unique opportunity to chair the State Managing Committee meeting of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund that deals with issues related to welfare and rehabilitation of our veterans, war widows, war heroes, disabled soldiers and their dependants. Before I proceed further, I pay my tribute to all those armed forces personnel who laid down their lives in defence of our motherland�
Prof Mukhi also said the Directorate of Sainik Welfare, Assam is doing an outstanding job by reaching out to 35,000-plus veterans and more than double the number of dependants for redressal of their grievances. He said the government is committed to the welfare of the soldiers. It is the national responsibility to take care of the veterans and their families, he added.
Prof Mukhi underlined the need for extending the fruits of government schemes to the ex-servicemen and their dependants. He praised the Army personnel in the State for contributing in their own possible way to ensure welfare of the veterans.
Brigadier ND Joshi, SM (Retd) Director, Directorate of Sainik Welfare highlighted the important steps taken to revitalise the Sainik Board and its achievements during the tenure of the present Governor.
The Sainik Board has 19 Zila Sainik Welfare Offices to cover 27 districts of Assam. The other districts will be covered in phases. The Director of Sainik Welfare further stated that the Government of Assam has set up a grievance redressal mechanism for defence personnel under the respective deputy commissioners in every district headquarters.
