A government spokesman said the power to look into and decide on cases of martyrdom would be de-centralised to avoid delays caused by the shuttling of cases between the head office and districts.

The move was taken after complaints that significant time was taken in releasing the ex-gratia to the next of kin of martyrs.

“Now, all documents would be scrutinized as per the standard check list issued by the head office at the district level by the district Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare Office,” the spokesman said.

The DSASW officer would put up fully documented cases to the Deputy Commissioner for payment, he said.

The spokesman said the payment sanction letter would be signed by the DSASW officer and a copy would be forwarded to the headquarters for seeking release of payment from the budget.

“The head office would make online transfer of the sanctioned amount of ex-gratia to the office concerned,” he said.

On receipt of the payment sanction letter sent by the district office at head office, the case would be put up to the Director of the Sainik and Ardh Sainik Welfare Department, for release of amount from the budget, he said.

The amount would then be released online to the district concerned, he added.

The district officers would also be asked to upload these documents on the online for safety and record.

(Feature Image Source: PTI )