In place of land, war widows to get cash grant from state govt

CHANDIGARH: Conceding to their long-pending demand, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday approved cash grant instead of land for war widows.

The policy change will be applicable to dependents of martyred soldiers, besides permanently disabled soldiers of 1962 Indo-China War, 1965 IndoPak War and widows of 1971 Indo-Pak War.

Disclosing this here, a spokesperson of the chief minister’s office said Amarinder had okayed a grant of ₹5 lakh in lieu of one acre of land, with maximum of ₹50 lakh for 10 acres, as per individual eligibility.

The CM also directed the sainik welfare department to expedite the disbursement of cash to provide the war widows with the much-needed relief, said the spokesperson.

The chief minister has started connecting with all war widows and ex-servicemen in the state through demi-official letters to enquire about their well-being, said the spokesperson.