Agniveer Controversy: During the discussion on the President’s address in the first session of the Lok Sabha, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday (July 1) raised questions on the Agniveer scheme. Rahul Gandhi said in the House that the status of martyr is not given under the Central Government’s Agniveer scheme. Along with this, compensation is also not given to the families of martyred Agniveers.Â
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After this claim of Rahul Gandhi, the father of martyred Agniveer Akshay Gavate has made a big revelation. Laxman Gavate, father of the first Agniveer martyr Akshay Gavate of Buldhana, Maharashtra, confirmed that he received a total compensation of Rs 1 crore 10 lakh.
What did Rajnath Singh say on Rahul Gandhi’s claim?
When Rahul Gandhi raised this issue in the House on Monday, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh immediately responded to it. Rajnath Singh said that assistance is given to the family of martyred Agniveer. Agniveer Akshay Gavate, posted in the world’s highest battlefield Siachen Glacier, sacrificed his life while serving the country.
Martyr Akshay Gavate was given a guard of honour after his death. Agniveer Akshay was a resident of Pipalgaon Sarai village in Buldhana taluka of Maharashtra. In October last year, 20-year-old Gavate, posted in Siachen, suddenly fell ill due to a heart attack and died during treatment.
How much assistance does an Agniveer’s family receive?
According to the Army website, if an Agniveer dies in the line of duty, he gets an insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh, an ex-gratia of Rs 44 lakh, full salary for four years and service fund along with the amount deposited in the service fund and the government’s contribution.
If the Agniveer does not die while on duty, the family gets an insurance cover of Rs 48 lakh and the amount deposited in the Service Fund and the government’s contribution. In case of disability, the Agniveer gets an ex-gratia of Rs 44 lakh, Rs 25 lakh or Rs 15 lakh depending on the level of disability (100%, 75% or 50%), full salary and service fund for up to four years, and the amount deposited in the Service Fund and the government’s contribution.