Uttar Pradesh Doubles Valor Awards and Increases Stamp Duty Exemption for Martyrs Families

Meerut, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made significant announcements for ex-servicemen and families of martyrs during a reunion ceremony held at Kulwant Singh Stadium in Meerut on Saturday. He declared that the lump sum and annual amounts for all valor awards, including the Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Veer Chakra, and Ashok Chakra, will be doubled.

Additionally, the stamp duty exemption limit for families of martyrs seeking to buy or build homes will increase from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh. Adityanath also stated that one dependent of a martyr will now be guaranteed a job in their home district or a nearby area.

During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated newly constructed Soldier Welfare Offices across eight districts, with an investment of ₹27.5 crore. He detailed the new financial benefits: the one-time payment for a Param Vir Chakra winner will rise to ₹52 lakh, while the annual pension will increase to ₹3.12 lakh. Similar increases will apply to other awards, including the Mahavir Chakra, Veer Chakra, Ashok Chakra, Kirti Chakra, and Shaurya Chakra.

Adityanath emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting ex-servicemen and the families of fallen soldiers. The stamp duty exemption for properties valued up to ₹50 lakh marks a significant enhancement from the previous ₹20 lakh limit. Furthermore, the Soldier Welfare Department will coordinate with other departments to ensure immediate job placements.

The Chief Minister criticized previous administrations, noting that a decade ago, Meerut was plagued by vehicle thefts and lawlessness. He highlighted the improvements in the region, citing the Delhi-Meerut Expressway and the development of the Major Dhyan Chand Sports University as examples of progress.

He asserted that the current government prioritizes the needs of soldiers and has made strides in defense exports, which have surged 55 times since 2013-14. Uttar Pradesh is not only providing soldiers but also manufacturing advanced weapons. The BrahMos missile is being produced in Lucknow, with parts of the indigenous AK-203 rifle also being manufactured in the state.

Adityanath pointed out that Uttar Pradesh contributes significantly to the national defense, with 12,000 of the 60,000 soldiers retiring annually coming from the state. He also noted that the ex-gratia amount for families of martyrs has been increased from ₹20 lakh to ₹50 lakh since 2017, with ₹59.5 crore already disbursed to 150 families.

Moreover, the state government has implemented a 5% reservation for ex-servicemen in Group ‘C’ positions and a 20% horizontal reservation for Agniveers in the UP police, prisons, and forest departments. The Chief Minister inaugurated new district soldier welfare and rehabilitation offices in several districts, enhancing residential and rest facilities for ex-servicemen.

The event also featured the release of a book titled “Shaurya Gatha,” detailing the valor of 7 Ashok Chakra winners, 30 Kirti Chakra winners, and 133 Shaurya Chakra winners from the state. Families of soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice were honored with checks and shawls, including the wives and mothers of notable martyrs.

State Minister Dr. Somendra Tomar remarked on the transformation of Meerut from a city known for riots to one with excellent connectivity, emphasizing the employment provided to approximately 31,000 ex-servicemen through municipal initiatives.