Suresh Dharur

Tribune News Service

Hyderabad, January 17

Billed as a first of its kind initiative in the country for the welfare of Armed Forces personnel, the Telangana government on Tuesday announced setting up of an Army Welfare Fund for the benefit of families of serving, retired and martyred soldiers.Making a statement in the Assembly, Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao unveiled a slew of measures, including constitution of the Rs 80 crore Army Welfare Fund, massive increase in cash rewards to Army personnel from the state winning gallantry medals and a host of other concessions.The Chief Minister said that he and his Cabinet colleagues would make an annual contribution of Rs 25,000 each towards the fund while legislators from the state would contribute Rs 10,000 each.Army personnel from the state winning Param Vir Chakra and Ashok Chakra will get Rs 2.25 crore (Punjab pays the highest at Rs 2 crore), Mahavir Chakra and Kirti Chakra Rs 1.25 crore (Punjab Rs 1 crore).