The government launched Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) with effect from 01 April, 2003. It aims to provide quality health care to approximately 55 lakh Ex-Servicemen and their dependents. The healthcare services are provided through 433 ECHS Polyclinics (427 in India and six in Nepal), Service Hospitals and ECHS Empanelled Medical Facilities in India and Nepal, which are supervised, controlled, and managed through 30 ECHS Regional Centres located across India, various headquarters in military chain of command and the Central Organisation ECHS. The scheme is funded by the Government of India. Fund Allocated during 2021-22 is Rs. 4438.19 crores.
The welfare schemes which had negligible/Nil subscription in the last five years from Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFDFF) are being discontinued from AFFDF w.e.f. 01.04.2022. However, these schemes are funded with higher amounts from respective services and states/UTs.
A total number of 89,533 people have been benefited under AFFDF for the last three years (2019-20 to 2021-22) and Rs. 320 crore have been allocated at Revised Estimate (RE) stage (2021-22) to clear cases of Penury, Marriage and Education Grants.
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shri TN Prathapan in Lok Sabha on April 01, 2022