Rajkhowa stresses on constitution of Rajya Sainik Board

FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT

ITAGAR, Feb 10: Aruchal Pradesh Governor JP Rajkhowa on Tuesday stressed on constitution of the Rajya Sainik Board (RSB) in the state at the earliest.

A delegation of ex-servicemen (ESMs) of the state led by wing commander Gyati Kago (Retd) called him at Raj Bhavan here, an official communiqué informed.

Responding to the memorandum submitted by the team, the governor opined that the board would facilitate the ex-servicemen and their families to avail benefits from the welfare schemes of Kendriya Sainik Board.

Calling for update on the War Memorial Project at Itagar, the governor emphasized that complete mes of the martyrs should be meticulously collected and reflected in the memorial, which could also become a much sought after tourist attraction.

“If required, RSB should also be consulted apart from consulting expert architects and other stakeholders and agencies,” the governor said.

He also felicitated the ESMs for the valuable service they had render during their active service in the armed forces and for continuing to contribute towards the socio-economic progress of the state and advised them to motivate youth of the state towards service in armed forces.

Relief & Rehabilitation and Disaster Magement Director Y W Ringu, who is the ex-officio director, apprised the governor that the RSB for the state has been notified and already construction of Sainik Aram Ghar at Tawang, Khonsa and Itagar had been taken up.

The director further informed that proposals have been sent to the state government for allotment of land for construction of office building for RSB in the state capital and for fund allocation for construction of office building of Zilla Sainik Board at Tawang and Khonsa.

She also informed that notification has been issued for grievance redressal cell for the serving and retired soldiers at state level.

Earlier, the ESMs delegation submitted a memorandum, which included establishment of RSB, proper inscription of war martyrs in the war memorial and welfare schemes for next of kin of martyred ESMs.

While highlighting the grievances of the ex-servicemen of the state, they said that in absence of RSB, the welfare activities are not being taken up in the way which it is expected to be. They requested the fovernor for his persol intervention to expedite the pending issues.

Lt Col Bruce Jilee, Major Tabo Maling, Capt Mimar Ete, SM & Hony Capt Lobsang Monpa and NK K Yangfo were present in the meeting.

It is to be noted that there are 559 ESMs with total family members of 1380 with Longding and Tirap districts having the largest number of 309 ESMs.

Meanwhile, Rajkhowa has allocated all the departments to his new advisor Banshidhar Sharma who replaced Y S Dadwal.

All files and correspondences meant for Advisor (Home & Political) may be put up to Sharma, a Raj Bhawan press release said.

The departments includes District Administration, Election, Home & Inter-State Border Affairs, Parliamentary Affairs, Political (excluding Vigilance), PWD, Disaster Magement, Transport & Civil Aviation, Youth Affairs and Sports, General Administration, Department of Development of Tirap and Changlang, Secretariat Administration, Excise and rcotics, Culture Affairs, Mines, Labour & Employment, Land Magement and Information Technology & Science & Technology.