Government will Fully Fund Education for Martyrs' Children

New Delhi: The government has decided to fully fund the Education of martyrs' children. Earlier, this was fixed up to 10,000 rupees a month. 

The children of officers from the armed forces, 'persons below officer rank' missing in action, and those disabled or killed in action will be eligible for this scheme. It already covers around 3,400 children and entails an expenditure of around Rs 5 crores a year.

"The educational concession will be admissible only for undertaking studies in government/government-aided schools/educational institutes/military /Sainik schools and other schools or colleges recognised by the central or state governments, including autonomous organisations financed entirely by the central/state governments," said a statement posted by the defence ministry on Twitter.

There were reports that the ministry is reconsidering the existing scheme in December. This was as a result of the strong protest from the affected families and collective representatives from the Army, Navy and IAF.

Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh also wrote to defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman saying the cap is 'immoral' and 'unprincipled'.

(Source: The Times of India)