In a significant move, the families of martyred soldiers will soon be able to travel free of charge in state transport corporation buses, along with soldiers awarded bravery medals. The Minister of Soldier Welfare, Ganesh Joshi, instructed officials during a department meeting to draft a proposal to extend this facility to the families of fallen soldiers.
The minister also directed that a proposal should be submitted to the cabinet, ensuring that contract employees receive leave benefits similar to those of UPNL (Uttarakhand Purv Sainik Kalyan Nigam Limited) employees. He highlighted that soldiers awarded bravery medals are already enjoying free travel in state roadways buses, and now, this benefit will be extended to the families of martyred soldiers.
Officials revealed that the daily meal allowance for serving soldiers, veterans, widows, and dependents during training for army, paramilitary, and police recruitment has been increased from ₹80 to ₹225. Additionally, memorial gates will be built in honor of the following martyrs: Lance Naik Shaurya Chakra recipient Raghubir Singh, Soldier Suraj Singh Topal, and Mahavir Chakra recipient Soldier Anusuya Prasad in Chamoli district; Sunder Singh in Uttarkashi; Soldier Dinesh Singh Bisht in Almora; Naik Praveen Singh in Tehri; and Havildar Devendra Singh in Rudraprayag.
Minister Ganesh Joshi also provided crucial directives regarding the ongoing construction of the military memorial. The officials confirmed that free bus passes have already been issued to 30 bravery medal recipient soldiers for travel in state transport buses. Attending the meeting were Soldier Welfare Secretary Dipendra Chaudhary, Soldier Welfare Director Brigadier Amrit Lal, Deputy Director Colonel M.S. Jodha, and Deputy Director Devendra Kumar.
