Shri Ajay Kumar IP&TA&FS (1993), is appointed as Joint Secretary – Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, in Level 14 of the Pay Matrix, on Central Deputation basis for a tenure upto his superannuation on 31.07.2029.
With the growing number of ex-servicemen (ESM) and widows, there was a continuous demand from Service Headquarters and various associations for a dedicated department to manage the welfare, resettlement, and rehabilitation of ESM, war widows, and their dependents. In response, an independent resettlement division was established within the Department of Defence in 1986.
To provide more focused attention to these matters, the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (DESW) was created under the Ministry of Defence on 22nd September 2004. DESW is responsible for formulating and implementing policies and programs for the welfare and resettlement of ex-servicemen across the country. The department is divided into two main divisions:
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Pension Division – Handles pension policies for Armed Forces personnel and addresses grievances of ex-servicemen regarding pension-related matters.
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Resettlement Division – Oversees all other aspects of ex-servicemen welfare, including employment and rehabilitation.
Additionally, DESW operates through three attached offices:
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Kendriya Sainik Board Secretariat (KSB Sectt.) – This office manages the welfare of ex-servicemen and their dependents, as well as the administration of welfare funds. It works alongside 34 Rajya Sainik Boards (RSBs) and 410 Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs), which function under the administrative jurisdiction of State Governments and Union Territories. The Indian government contributes 75% of the maintenance costs for RSBs/ZSBs in certain states, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. In other states and Union Territories, the government covers 60% of the expenses, with the remaining cost borne by the respective state governments.
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Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) – This office is responsible for policies, schemes, and programs related to pre- and post-retirement training, re-employment, and self-employment opportunities for ex-servicemen. It operates with the support of five Directorate Resettlement Zones (DRZs), which are located at Army Command Headquarters in Udhampur, Chandimandir, Lucknow, Kolkata, and Pune.
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Central Organisation, Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (CO, ECHS) – This organization ensures healthcare and medical support for ex-servicemen and their dependents through a network of 427 polyclinics across the country.
The establishment of DESW has significantly enhanced the welfare and rehabilitation efforts for ex-servicemen, ensuring a structured and organized approach to their needs.
IndianBureaucracy.com wishes Shri Ajay Kumar the very best.
