Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Oct 19: The Maharashtra government has decided to provide one-time financial assistance to soldiers who suffer disabilities during wars, war-like situations, internal security operations and encounters entirely through state government funds.

Under the revised policy, eligible soldiers and their dependants will receive financial assistance funded 100 per cent by the government.

Earlier, 50 per cent of the assistance was provided through government grants, while the remaining 50 per cent came from interest earned on funds deposited in a nationalised bank through the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. The revised arrangement shifts the entire financial burden to the state government.

As part of the decision, the government has sanctioned Rs 20 lakh for Lance Naik Bhairappa Yashwant Langote, who suffered a spinal injury on November 1, 2021, while undergoing operational-oriented training at Nyoma in Ladakh. The injury resulted in 20 per cent disability.

In another case, Sapper Rohit Ramrao Patil was seriously injured on March 27, 2023, while performing duties along the Line of Actual Control under Operation Snow Leopard. He sustained a head injury and fractures to his facial bones, resulting in facial disfigurement and 35.5 per cent disability.

The government has sanctioned Rs 34 lakh in financial assistance to Patil.

Both soldiers hail from Sangli district. The total financial assistance approved for the two personnel amounts to Rs 54 lakh.