Jammu, August 18,2026- J&K Rajya Sainik Board Meeting was chaired by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha at Lok Bhavan on August 18, 2026, to review welfare measures for veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents of armed forces personnel.Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired the 81st Meeting of Jammu Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board at Lok Bhavan, bringing together senior civil and military officials to review welfare measures for veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents of armed forces personnel.
The meeting was attended by a wide array of dignitaries, including Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Northern Command, and Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo. Also present were Maj Gen Paramvir Singh Dagar, Chief of Staff, HQ White Knight Corps; Maj Gen KS Dhadwal, Chief of Staff, HQ Chinar Corps; Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) Shailendra Kumar; Principal Secretary (Home) Chanderkar Bharti; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; and Neena Mishra, Principal Director, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Government of India. Senior officers including Brig. Pankaj Chib (Retd.), Director Sainik Welfare Department J&K; Brig Sandeep Kaushal, Commander 21 Sub Area; Air Commodore VP Singh; Col Pradeep S Karki, Director DRZ (North); and Brig. Virender Singh Slathia (Retd.) were also part of the deliberations.
Focus on Veterans’ Welfare and Grievance Redressal
The Rajya Sainik Board deliberated on a range of issues concerning the welfare of veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents, covering welfare delivery mechanisms, grievance redressal, healthcare access and institutional strengthening. Among the key decisions discussed was the establishment of a Zila Sainik Welfare Office (ZSWO) at Kishtwar, aimed at improving last-mile service delivery for ex-servicemen in the region. The Board also focused on improved coordination on pension-related matters, a long-standing concern for veterans and their families across Jammu & Kashmir.
Reiterating his commitment to the welfare of veterans and their families, the Lieutenant Governor assured that every step will be taken to honour their sacrifices and guarantee them a life of dignity. The Board’s discussions underscored the administration’s continued emphasis on strengthening institutional support systems for the veteran community.
Healthcare Access Through ECHS Empanelment
In a significant move to enhance healthcare access for veterans, the Board discussed the empanelment of key government hospitals with the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS). These include AIIMS Jammu, GMC Rajouri, GMC Doda and Government Hospital Kupwara. The proposed empanelment is expected to widen the network of quality healthcare facilities available to veterans and their dependents, particularly in remote and hilly districts of the Union Territory.
SMC Meeting on Armed Forces Flag Day Fund
Following the Rajya Sainik Board meeting, the Lieutenant Governor also chaired the State Management Committee (SMC) meeting on the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. The Committee reviewed welfare-oriented proposals spanning medical and health support, infrastructure development, outreach programmes, education and skill development for veterans and their families.
Among the key initiatives proposed by the Committee were education and career incentives for dependents of armed forces personnel, deployment of psychological counsellors in identified areas, skill-development support to aid livelihood generation, and improvements to welfare infrastructure across the Union Territory.
Strengthening Institutional Support for Veterans
The dual meetings reflect the administration’s sustained focus on veteran welfare in Jammu & Kashmir, a region with a significant population of ex-servicemen and their families. By addressing healthcare, pension, education and psychological support in a coordinated manner, the Lieutenant Governor’s administration aims to build a more responsive and dignified support ecosystem for those who have served the nation.
With the establishment of new welfare offices, expanded healthcare empanelment and targeted skill-development initiatives, the 81st meeting of the J&K Rajya Sainik Board marks another step in the ongoing effort to institutionalise veteran welfare across the Union Territory.
