Uttarakhand News Today: The Uttarakhand government is preparing to provide free travel facility to the families of martyred soldiers in the buses of the State Transport Corporation. In a meeting of the Sainik Welfare Department, Sainik Welfare Minister Ganesh Joshi has instructed the officials to prepare a proposal in this regard. 

This step is being taken in honour of the families who have lost their loved ones for the security of the country. Minister Ganesh Joshi said that currently, gallantry medal holders are being given the facility of free travel in the buses of the State Transport Corporation.

Free passes issued to 30 soldiers
Ganesh Joshi said that this facility will now be extended to the families of martyred soldiers, so that they too can get special status in the society with respect. It was told in the meeting that free travel passes have already been issued to 30 gallantry medal holder soldiers of the state.

In this meeting, it was decided that a proposal to provide leave to contractual employees like Upanal employees will also be presented in the cabinet. This proposal is being prepared with the objective of providing better working facilities to government employees.

Officials also informed that the amount for food arrangement for serving soldiers, ex-servicemen, widows and dependents during training in army, paramilitary forces and police recruitment has been increased from Rs 80 to Rs 225 per day. This will help these soldier families financially in a better way.

Memorial gate in memory of martyred soldiers
Apart from this, Shahid gates will also be constructed at different places in the state in honor of the martyrs. In Chamoli district, gates will be constructed in the name of Lance Naik Raghuveer Singh, Sepoy Suraj Singh Topal and Mahavir Chakra winner Anusuya Prasad.

In the same sequence, gates will be built in the name of martyrs in Uttarkashi, Almora, Tehri and Rudraprayag districts, so that the coming generations can always remember the sacrifice of these brave soldiers. This decision will not only provide financial relief to the families of martyred soldiers in the state, but their sacrifice will also receive high respect in the society.

These officers were present in the meeting
The Sainik Welfare Minister also discussed the construction work of the Sainik Dham and gave necessary guidelines to the officers. Secretary Sainik Welfare Dipendra Chaudhary, Sainik Welfare Director Brigadier Amritlal, Deputy Director Colonel MS Jodha, Deputy Director Devendra Kumar and many other officers were present in the meeting.