Open defence academies to help youth clear SSB exams: HP Guv

Himachal Pradesh Governor Acharya Devvrat today said defence academies should be opened to help the youth clear Service Selection Board (SSB) examinations to join the Army.
"The youth of the state are exposed to tough topographical conditions. Hence, they are naturally fit to guard the borders of the country," he said presiding over two meetings here for the welfare of ex-servicemen.
The Governor chaired the 25th meeting of the State Sainik Welfare Board and the 43rd of the State Managing Committee for Management and Administration of Special Fund for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of Ex-Servicemen.
"Youth living in tough conditions in hilly areas have more experience to serve in such environment and should be provided more opportunities to join the defence forces," Devvrat said.

He also emphasised on generating more employment opportunities for ex-servicemen and rehabilitation schemes for them.
On the occasion, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh assured pensionary benefits forex-servicemen who are without pensions and approved increase of grant for marriage of daughters' of war widows from Rs 15,000 to Rs 50,000.

All vacant posts in the Sainik Kalyan Board will be filled at the earliest and the process for identifying land for a military station in the state is underway, he said.
"Rs 1.60 crore will be spent on the reconstruction of Sainik Rest House in Solan and Rs 2.50 crore for repair and maintenance of all sainik rest houses in the state," Singh said.

The Chief Minister said ward's of ex-servicemen interested in SSB coaching will get a one time stipend of Rs 6,000 and youths of the state at NDA will also be given an enhanced scholarship.
Minister for Social Justice, Empowerment and Sainik Welfare Dhani Ram Shandil said Rs 3 crore had been distributed under Shaurya Puraskar and Rs 6.50 crore under old age financial assistanceto ex-servicemen.
In addition Rs 1.15 crore had been released, as grant to families of martyrs from the state, he added.