LG Sinha Reviews Veterans’ Welfare, Healthcare and Support Measures at 81st Rajya Sainik Board Meeting
Jammu, August 18, 2026: Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha today chaired the 81st meeting of the Jammu Kashmir Rajya Sainik Board at Lok Bhavan, reviewing a range of issues concerning the welfare of veterans, Veer Naris, widows and dependents of armed forces personnel.
The meeting focused on strengthening welfare delivery mechanisms, grievance redressal, healthcare access and institutional support for ex-servicemen and their families.
The Board deliberated on several key matters, including the establishment of a Zila Sainik Welfare Office (ZSWO) at Kishtwar and improved coordination on pension-related issues to ensure timely resolution of beneficiaries’ concerns.
Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to the welfare of veterans and their families, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said every effort would be made to honour their sacrifices and ensure that they and their families lead a life of dignity.
The meeting also discussed the empanelment of government healthcare institutions, including AIIMS Jammu, Government Medical College (GMC) Rajouri, GMC Doda and Government Hospital Kupwara, with the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) to enhance access to quality healthcare for eligible beneficiaries.
The meeting was attended by Lieutenant General Pratik Sharma, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command; Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo; Maj Gen Paramvir Singh Dagar, Chief of Staff, HQ White Knight Corps; Maj Gen K.S. Dhadwal, Chief of Staff, HQ Chinar Corps; Additional Chief Secretary, Finance Department, Shailendra Kumar; Principal Secretary, Home, Chanderkar Bharti; Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Dr Mandeep K. Bhandari; Principal Director, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Government of India, Neena Mishra; Director, Sainik Welfare Department, J&K, Brig. Pankaj Chib (Retd.); Brig. Sandeep Kaushal, Commander, 21 Sub Area; Air Commodore V.P. Singh; Col. Pradeep S. Karki, Director, DRZ (North); Brig. Virender Singh Slathia (Retd.) and other senior officials.
The Lieutenant Governor also chaired the meeting of the State Management Committee (SMC) on the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund.
The Committee considered a range of welfare-oriented proposals relating to medical and healthcare support, infrastructure development, outreach, education and skill development.
Among the proposed initiatives were education and career incentives, deployment of psychological counsellors in identified areas, enhanced skill-development support and strengthening of welfare infrastructure for veterans and their families.
