War memorial to be constructed in Uttarakhand, says Rawat

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Harish Rawat on Sunday announced that a committee would be formed to identify land for construction of a war memorial in the State.

A three-member committee would be formed under the chairmanship of Soldier Welfare Minister Harak Singh Rawat, the Chief Minister said.

Two other members of the committee will be Soldier Welfare Board president Gambhir Singh Negi and Principal Secretary Ravishanker.

He was speaking after paying tributes to Kargil martyrs at a programme organised on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.

“If suitable land is not identified for the proposed war memorial, then the Sstate government is prepared to buy it,” Mr. Rawat said, adding that even though the State has limited resources, it has immense respect for jawans.

He said that it has been decided to make Soldier Welfare Board an autonomous body with its president having the status of a Cabinet Minister to help it perform better for the well being of the serving and also former jawans from the State.

“The state government would request the Centre to implement one rank one pension (OROP). Also, war widows and children of disabled soldiers studying at IIT, MBBS and IMA would get a yearly assistance of Rs one lakh,” Mr. Rawat said._PTI