GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO 793
ANSWERED ON 08.12.1999

SOLDIERS KILLED DURING INDO PAK WARS .


793. SHRI MANOHAR KANT DHYANI

Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:-


(a) what are the details of soldiers killed, injured and rendered totally handicapped in each of the wars fought so far between India and Pakistan, separately; and

(b) the details of relief provided, from time to time, to the families of the deceased soldiers, the amount being given after the Kargil war, along with the details regarding Government’s assurance to help the injured soldiers of the previous wars as well ?


ANSWER

MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SHRI GEORGE FERNANDES)

(a) In respect of Kargil conflict, the casualty figures are as under:-
(i) Defence Services personnel 524 killed
(ii) Defence Services personnel 1,363 injured Other information is being collected.

(b) A statement is attached. STATEMENT IN RESPECT OF PART (b) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 793 FOR 8.12.99 REGARDING SOLDIERS KILLED DURING INDO-PAK WARS Prior to August 1993, there was no ex-gratia award. Government policy on payment of ex-gratia to the next of kin of battle casualties was introduced for the first time in October 1996 and ex-gratia of Rs. 1 lakh and Rs. 2 lakhs were paid to the families of service personnel killed during the period 20.8.1993 to 30.4.1995 and 1.5.1995 to 31.7.1997 respectively while performing their duties in encounter with or in an incident involving armed hostiles, extremists, terrorists or other anti-social elements such as dacoits/smugglers and also for those killed in enemy action and border skirmishes. Consequent on the implementation of the recommendations of the Fifth Central Pay Commission, the ex-gratia amount was raised to Rs. 5 lakhs in cases of death occurring due to accidents in the course of performance of duties and in cases of death occurring in the course of performance of duty attributable to acts of violence by terrorists, anti- social elements etc., and Rs. 7.50 lakhs in case of death occurring during enemy action in international war or border skirmishes and action against militants, extremists etc. Further, an amendment was made in August 1999 in the wake of the Kargil conflict to provide for ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakhs for death occurring during enemy action in international war or war-like engagements and Rs. 7.50 lakhs for death during
(i) border skirmishes and
(ii) action against militants, terrorists, extremists etc. The Kargil conflict has been treated as war-like engagement and ex-gratia of Rs. 10 lakhs has been granted to those killed in the said operation. As regards the details of relief provided after the Kargil conflict, it is stated that a comprehensive welfare package has been provided to the N.O.K. of the Armed Forces personnel killed in the Kargil conflict. This includes ex-gratia lump sum compensation of Rs. 10 lakhs, liberalised special family pension on the basis of last pay drawn by the deceased soldier, and death gratuity and family gratuity as per specified rates, as applicable. Apart from the above, the following assistance has been provided from the National Defence Fund : Rs. 5 lakhs for dwelling unit, Rs. 1 lakh per child for education up to 2 children per family, Rs. 1.20 lakhs for needy parents who were dependent on the deceased soldiers. An additional ex- gratia amount of Rs. 30,000 has also been provided from the Army Central Welfare Fund. Besides, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has separately earmarked LPG dealerships/distributorships for allocation to the N.O.K. of the Armed Forces personnel killed. The details of relief provided from time to time to the families of the deceased/injured soldiers of each of the wars between India and Pakistan is being collected.