KENDRIYA SAINIK BOARD (KSB): ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES  

The Government of India, through the Ministry of Defence, has established the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB) Secretariat as the apex body for the welfare and resettlement of Ex-Servicemen and their dependents, who are a valuable asset of the nation and deserve the utmost respect and care from society. The KSB Secretariat coordinates with the Departments of Sainik Welfare (DSW) in the States and Union Territories, and the Rajya Sainik Boards (RSB) and Zila Sainik Boards (ZSB) at the district level, and performs a variety of functions and duties to ensure the well-being and dignity of the Ex-Servicemen community. In this article, we will discuss the role and responsibilities of the KSB Secretariat in detail.

ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE OF KENDRIYA SAINIK BOARD (KSB)

The KSB has Hon’ble Raksha Mantri as its President, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri as its Vice President, and a secretary who is a serving officer of the rank of Brigadier or equivalent from the Navy / Air Force. The KSB also has 46 members, which include Chief Ministers / Lt Governors of various States / UTs, MPs, Service Chiefs, Government officials and Ex-Servicemen. The KSB works in close coordination with the Departments of Sainik Welfare (DSWs) in the States and UTs, and the Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs) and Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) at the district level, to ensure the well-being and dignity of the Ex-Servicemen community

MAJOR FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE KSB SECRETARIAT

• They arrange and hold meetings with the KSB and the Rajya Sainik Boards, the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund Management Committee, and the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund Executive Committee.
• They make sure that the people do what the meetings decide.
• They give policy directions, as approved by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare / Ministry of Defence, to the Department of Sainik Welfares in the States and Union Territories on how to help the Ex-Servicemen and their families.
• They watch and guide the Department of Sainik Welfares in the States and UTs on how to work according to the KSB / Ministry of Defence guidelines.
• They give money for the setting up and running costs of the Department of Sainik Welfares & Zila Sainik Boards to the States and UTs.
• They join as a member of the Selection Committee under the Chief Secretary of the State for choosing the Director, Department of Sainik Welfare / Secretary, Rajya Sainik Board and Zila Sainik Welfare Officer / Secretary, Zila Sainik Board, one month before the post is empty.
• They check the Department of Sainik Welfares of the States and UTs every year and report on how they are working to the State Governments and the Ministry of Defence.
• They join the Rajya Sainik Board and Amalgamated Fund Meetings in the States as a special guest.
• They manage the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, which is used for helping the Ex-Servicemen, war widows, war disabled, and their families. Armed Forces Flag Day Fund: A Fund for The Welfare And Rehabilitation of Veterans
• They deal with the problems and questions related to the help of Ex-Servicemen and the families of dead service personnel.
• They run the Scheme for giving Medical, Dental and Engineering seats under the Ministry of Defence quota to the children of Ex-Servicemen and Ex Coast Guard personnel and their widows.
• They arrange and hold the ‘Armed Forces Flag Day Collections’ at the Central Government Departments in Delhi.
• They give flags, posters and publicity material for the Armed Forces Flag Day in the States and UTs and the Indian Missions abroad.
• They give money through the National Defence Fund to increase the Combined Special Fund of the States, which is used for different help schemes for Ex-Servicemen and their families at the State level.
• They run central schemes such as the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund (RMEWF), which gives money to Ex-Servicemen and their families for different things such as education, medical treatment, marriage, house repair, funeral, etc.
• They give Identity Cards for getting Rail Travel Concessions to War Widows and Ex-Servicemen in special cases.
• They run the Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme (PMSS) for the children of Ex-Servicemen and Ex Coast Guard personnel and their widows, which gives scholarships for studying professional degree courses.
• They give money to the Paraplegic homes at PRC Kirkee and Mohali, 35 War Memorial Hostels, Cheshire Homes and various institutes that look after the needs of Ex-Servicemen and their families.
• They advise on the right investment of the Amalgamated Fund by the Rajya Sainik Boards of the States and UTs, as per the Ministry of Defence guidelines.
• Inspect the Zila Sainik Boards at random to check their functioning and effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the KSB Secretariat plays an important role in connecting the Central Government, the State Governments and the Ex-Servicemen community, and works hard to serve those who have served the nation with honour and pride. The KSB Secretariat does many things to help the Ex-Servicemen and their families, such as providing Policy Directions, Budgetary Support, Financial Assistance, Scholarships, Welfare Schemes, etc. The KSB Secretariat also manages the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, which is used for the rehabilitation and welfare of Ex-Servicemen, war widows, war disabled, and their dependents. The KSB Secretariat aims to improve the quality of life of the Ex-Servicemen and their dependents and make sure they have their rightful place in society.

KSB WELFARE SCHEMES AT A GLANCE