NEW DELHI: The defence ministry on Friday told Parliament it was examining a proposal to divide family pension between the spouse and the parents of military personnel who die in service.
“A proposal for division of family pension between the spouse and parents has been received, which is under consideration,” junior defence minister Sanjay Seth told Lok Sabha in a brief written reply.
The minister replied in the affirmative to Congress member Imran Masood who asked whether parents of dead soldiers have demanded an amendment in the law for financial assistance.
It is learnt that the Army has also sent a proposal to the defence ministry on the issue.
At present, ordinary family pension is paid only to the wife of a soldier, airman or sailor who dies while in service. Only in the case of unmarried personnel, the pension is given to the parents.
The release of gratuity, insurance, provident fund and ex gratia, in turn, is done as per the nomination or will of the dead soldier. He can divide these among his wife, parents, children or others as per his wish.
The issue of division of pension has come to the fore once again in recent days after at least two cases of parents of soldiers who died in the line of duty alleging their daughters-in-law got all the financial aid.
There are, of course, also cases where widows have been shunted out of their houses or even forced to marry someone else in the family.
“A proposal for division of family pension between the spouse and parents has been received, which is under consideration,” junior defence minister Sanjay Seth told Lok Sabha in a brief written reply.
The minister replied in the affirmative to Congress member Imran Masood who asked whether parents of dead soldiers have demanded an amendment in the law for financial assistance.
It is learnt that the Army has also sent a proposal to the defence ministry on the issue.
At present, ordinary family pension is paid only to the wife of a soldier, airman or sailor who dies while in service. Only in the case of unmarried personnel, the pension is given to the parents.
The release of gratuity, insurance, provident fund and ex gratia, in turn, is done as per the nomination or will of the dead soldier. He can divide these among his wife, parents, children or others as per his wish.
The issue of division of pension has come to the fore once again in recent days after at least two cases of parents of soldiers who died in the line of duty alleging their daughters-in-law got all the financial aid.
There are, of course, also cases where widows have been shunted out of their houses or even forced to marry someone else in the family.
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