Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh pays glowing tributes to Indian National Army veteran Major Ishwar Lal Singh


Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today paid glowing tributes to Indian National Army (INA) veteran Major Ishwar Lal Singh  at a memorial service held in New Delhi. After laying a wreath, at the urn containing ashes of Major Ishwar Lal Singh, the Raksha Mantri fondly recalled his meeting with the INA veteran about three years ago in Singapore. He said that  India will not forget the sacrifices made by the soldiers of the Indian National Army (INA) and its leader  Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. Shri Rajnath Singh said Netaji was the epitome of values and ideals and he fought for values and never compromised on the ideals of freedom.


The Raksha Mantri added that contrary to perception Netaji had great respect for Mahatma Gandhi and he took lead in terming Mahatama Gandhi as the Father of Nation. Netaji even designated one of his Brigades  as Mahatma Gandhi Brigade, Raksha Mantri added.


The memorial service in honor of Major Ishwar Lal was organized by Ministry of Culture and Archeological Survey of India.  Many Army veterans were present on the occasion and paid their tributes to mortal remains of INA veteran.


Major Ishwar Lall Singh, a 92-year-old Singaporean veteran of the Indian National Army served under the leadership of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose. In his early teens, his father had arranged for him to join the Indian National Army (INA). He was a resident of the Sree Narayana Mission Nursing Home in Yishun. He died on 5th August, 2022.


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Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh interacts with troops at Headquarters Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) in Manipur


Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited Headquarters Inspector General Assam Rifles (South) at Mantripukhri in Manipur onAugust 19, 2022 and interacted with troops of Red Shield Division and Assam Rifles. He was accompanied byChief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, GOC-in-C Eastern Command Lieutenant General RP Kalita and GOC Spear Corps Lieutenant General RC Tiwari along with other senior officers of Army and Assam Rifles. During the visit, the Raksha Mantri was briefed about the counter-insurgency as well as border management operations on Indo-Myanmar border to maintain peace and tranquility in the region.


Addressing the personnel, Shri Rajnath Singh appreciated the officers and soldiers for performing their duty with courage and conviction despite challenges posed by terrain &weather and improving the security situation in Manipur. It’s a matter of great pride to stand amongst the Indian Army and Assam Rifles troops, he said.


The Raksha Mantri lauded the contribution of Red Shield Division ever since its raising be it in 1971 war, as part of IPKF in Sri Lanka or in its present role. He commended the stellar role of Assam Rifles in the last seven decades and their immense contribution in internal security, securing Indo-Myanmar border and key role in bringing North East into the national mainstream. “For this reason, you are called ‘Friends of the North East People’ and ‘Sentinels of North East’,” he stated.


Shri Rajnath Singh exhorted the forces to keep the NationalFlag high through unflinching dedication, asserting that the Nation can achieve absolute potential only when its borders are safe.More than 1,000 troops of Red Shield Division and Assam Rifles took part in the interaction with the Raksha Mantri.




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Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh approves enhanced monetary limits for procurement of Drugs and consumables for Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS)


Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh today approved the enhancement of the monetary ceiling for purchase of Not Available (NA), emergent, lifesavings and essential drugs by 100% in all categories of polyclinics from Authorised Local Chemists (ALC).  This will ensure easy & timely availability of medicines for ECHS beneficiaries. (Type A & B from Rs 2.5 lakh to 5 Lakh, Type C from Rs 1.5 lakh to 3 Lakh, Type D from Rs 1 lakh to 2 Lakh).


There have been various representations from the veterans regarding supply of medicines.  The Government has already undertaken a series of modifications to procedures of procurement of medicines for ECHS beneficiaries.  In all stations with ECHS Polyclinics, local medical stores/chemists are empanelled for supply of Not Available (NA), emergent, life-saving and essential drugs on as required basis.  The empanelled local medical stores/chemists are being done by a Board of Officers constituted by the Station Commander.   Any expenditure above this limit will be approved by MD, ECHS.  The CO, ECHS may re-appropriate the required funds from other ECHS Polyclinics, if required.


It may be seen that the Government on 25.03.2022 had already conveyed the sanction for reimbursement of cost of medicines and consumables, purchased from open market, not Available at ECHS Polyclinic/Authorized Local Chemist for a maximum period of 30 days from earlier 15 days at a time subject to the maximum value of medicines and consumables not exceeding Rs. 25,000/- each time under the general conditions and Rs. 75,000/- each time under the special conditions except in the case of Cancer Medicines where the maximum value of medicines and consumable would be Rs.5 lakhs each time from the earlier Rs.2 lakhs each time. This will be a big move towards making essential medicines available to the Veterans.




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On International Day of Yoga, Raksha Mantri exhorts people to practice Yoga regularly to keep body & mind healthy


Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has exhorted the people to practice Yoga regularly as it helps to keep the body and mind healthy. He was virtually addressing a function organised by Isha Foundation of Shri Sadhguru on the occasion of International Day of Yoga on June 21, 2022. Throwing light on the benefits of the ancient Indian practice, the Raksha Mantri asserted that Yoga is not merely a good means of attaining physical fitness, but also a way to connect a person with himself by removing restlessness and confusion inherent in worldly existence. He said, the practice helps in controlling thoughts & emotions and training them in a positive direction.


Shri Rajnath Singh stressed that Yoga has touched newer heights of international recognition in the last few years and today it has become a new identity of India under the able guidance of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and through the active cooperation of the people. “Our Prime Minister had, while addressing the UN General Assembly, called upon the international community to celebrate Yoga Day. The adoption of this resolution by UN was certainly a big step towards the welfare of humanity. Yoga gained further recognition worldwide when, on December 01, 2016, it was included by UNESCO in the representative list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity,” he said.


The Raksha Mantri appreciated that work being done by Shri Sadhguru and the Isha Foundation to teach the people to live happier and more meaningful lives through yoga, besides inspiring them to address environmental problems. “India has been spreading world peace and similar humanistic ideas across many millennia. By giving the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’, India has not only considered the people living within its border as its family, but the people of the whole world as one. Sadhguru, by his work, has certainly brought to life the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ by connecting people from all over the world into one thread for creating a new environmental movement. He is enriching the material world through campaigns like ‘Save Soil’ as well as giving transcendental messages through spirituality,” he stated.


Shri Rajnath Singh expressed concern over degradation of environment, saying that the ecosystem of earth is built in such a way that the impact in a particular geographical area is not limited to that area only, it encompasses the whole world. “Carbon emission is an example in point. Even if it is happening in one country, it definitely affects all other countries. That is why all the summits, conferences, conventions and agreements regarding global environment protection, whether it is Rio summit, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, Climate Change convention, Kyoto protocol or Paris convention, they guide all the countries of the world, in similar way to act in unison. As a responsible nation, India, guided by its tradition and culture, has continuously striven for soil conservation. Soil conservation cannot be done by focusing only on the soil. We have tried to conserve and increase all other components related to it, such as afforestation, wildlife, wetlands, etc. The solution of collective problems will be possible only through collective efforts. Therefore, it is necessary that we all try to protect the soil & environment and move together towards a better world,” he added.


The Raksha Mantri called for finding new technologies in the field of science and make innovations which will keep the eco-friendly values intact. “We should become companions of nature and have a sense of reverence and respect for the living beings as well as the inanimate elements of nature. I have full faith that gradually human civilisation will overcome the environmental problems of our times, and build a happy, prosperous, equitable and sustainable future for all of us,” he stated.


Shri Rajnath Singh termed the ‘Save Soil’ campaign as a ray of hope as it instills a belief that the people from all over the world, through this campaign, will contribute in maintaining the health of the soil in the times to come. He said, the campaign is not only an effort to protect soil, but to preserve human civilisation and culture.


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Agnipath – Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh approves 10% reservation of jobs for Agniveers in Indian Coast Guard, Defence Civilian posts & 16 DPSUs


Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to reserve 10% of the job vacancies in Ministry of Defence for Agniveers meeting requisite eligibility criteria. The 10% reservation will be implemented in the Indian Coast Guard, defence civilian posts and all the 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Limited, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MDL), Mishra Dhatu Nigam (Midhani) Limited, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited  (AVNL), Advanced Weapons & Equipment India Ltd. (AW&EIL), Munitions India Limited (MIL), Yantra India Limited (YIL), Gliders India Limited (GIL), India Optel Limited (IOL) and Troop Comforts Limited (TCL). This reservation would be in addition to existing reservations for ex-servicemen.




        Necessary amendments to relevant recruitment rules will be undertaken to implement these provisions. The DPSUs will be advised to make similar amendments to their respective recruitment rules. Necessary age relaxation provision will also be made to enable recruitment of Agniveers to the above posts.





Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has approved a proposal to reserve 10% of the job vacancies in Ministry of Defence for ‘Agniveers’ meeting requisite eligibility criteria.

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) June 18, 2022

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