Hyderabad, September 24, 2026: Telangana Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla chaired the 5th meeting of the State Managing Committee (SMC) of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund at Lok Bhavan, Hyderabad, on Thursday, approving a series of significant welfare measures aimed at improving the financial security, healthcare, education, housing and employment opportunities of Ex-Servicemen and their families.
The meeting focused on enhancing existing financial assistance, introducing new welfare schemes and strengthening institutional support for Ex-Servicemen, Veer Naris, widows, differently-abled veterans and dependent children of Armed Forces personnel.
Major General N. Srinivas Rao (Retd.), National Vice President – Dakshin Bharat and State President, Telangana, Rashtriya Sainik Sanstha, played a key role in the deliberations by presenting several proposals aimed at addressing the emerging needs of the veteran community. He has been a continuous member of the State Managing Committee of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, Telangana, since 2017.
His proposals covered enhanced financial assistance, educational scholarships, healthcare, disability support, housing, mobility, employment and social security for veterans and their dependents.
Enhanced Financial Assistance for Veterans and Families
The State Managing Committee approved several enhancements to existing welfare grants to provide greater financial support to eligible beneficiaries.
The annual educational grant for eligible children of Ex-Servicemen has been increased from ₹10,000 to ₹17,000. Monthly financial assistance for non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen and widows has been enhanced from ₹3,900 to ₹6,000.
The disability grant for 100% disabled Ex-Servicemen has been increased from ₹15,000 to ₹18,000 per month. Financial assistance for children with disabilities has also been enhanced, with monthly support increased from ₹6,000 to ₹8,000 for children below 15 years and from ₹9,000 to ₹10,000 for those above 15 years.
The merit scholarship for eligible meritorious children securing top positions in recognised national and state-level entrance examinations has been raised from ₹5,000 to ₹25,000. The funeral grant for the wife or widow and eligible minor dependent children of Ex-Servicemen has been doubled from ₹10,000 to ₹20,000.
The Kalyana Kanuka assistance has also been enhanced from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 per child, subject to prescribed eligibility conditions.
New Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Veterans
The meeting also considered targeted welfare initiatives to support veterans facing financial, medical and mobility-related challenges.
Under the proposed mobility assistance scheme, eligible disabled veterans will receive support for purchasing wheelchairs, motorised three-wheelers and other assistive devices, with reimbursement of 50% of eligible expenditure based on individual assessment and genuine need.
For dependent children with special needs studying in recognised government, defence or specialised educational institutions, reimbursement of 50% of eligible educational fees has been proposed.
A one-time medical assistance grant of ₹1 lakh has been proposed for eligible non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen and widows aged 65 years and above suffering from serious illnesses, including cancer, major organ transplants and major cardiac procedures.
The committee also considered monthly financial assistance of ₹6,000 for eligible non-pensioner World War II veterans and widows.
In another significant housing initiative, eligible non-pensioner Ex-Servicemen and widows sanctioned houses under the Indiramma Indlu LIG housing scheme will be provided financial assistance of up to 50% of the beneficiary contribution, subject to a maximum of ₹3 lakh.
₹1 Crore Veterans Skill Development and Employment Centre
One of the major institutional initiatives discussed at the meeting was the establishment of a Veterans Skill Development and Employment Facilitation Centre with a proposed allocation of ₹1 crore.
The centre aims to connect eligible Ex-Servicemen with employment opportunities, skill-development programmes, entrepreneurship initiatives and self-employment opportunities in both government and private sectors.
The initiative seeks to utilise the extensive experience and expertise veterans have acquired during their service in areas such as leadership, administration, logistics, healthcare, security, training and technical operations, helping them build sustainable second careers after retirement.
Financial Support for Sainik Welfare Infrastructure
The State Managing Committee also approved several one-time financial assistance proposals to strengthen infrastructure and facilities for veterans and persons with disabilities across Telangana.
These include ₹11.50 lakh for installing a lift at Sainik Bhavan in Nalgonda to improve accessibility for elderly, physically challenged and wheelchair-bound veterans and widows, and ₹6 lakh for constructing an additional room at the Regional Sainik Welfare Office building in Adilabad.
An allocation of ₹10 lakh was approved for completing the Community Hall in Karimnagar. The committee also approved ₹3 lakh in financial assistance to ASHA – Army School for Handicapped and Abled Children for furniture and ₹9.30 lakh to Matruchaya for therapy equipment and other requirements for specially-abled children.
The proposed ₹1 crore allocation for the Veterans Skill Development and Employment Facilitation Centre was also included among the institutional support measures.
Transparency and Financial Accountability
The committee reviewed the financial management of the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, including the investment of a portion of its corpus in State Bank of India, the continuation of professional audit arrangements and the ratification of expenditure for the financial years 2024–25 and 2025–26.
According to the records presented, the accounts for these periods had been audited, and the audit observations had been clarified, with no pending observations reported.
The Fund receives resources through Armed Forces Flag Day collections, voluntary contributions, donations and interest earned on fixed deposits. These contributions are utilised to support the welfare and rehabilitation of veterans and their families.
Strengthening Support for Telangana’s Veteran Community
The decisions taken at the meeting reflect a broad focus on improving the welfare, dignity and social security of Ex-Servicemen and their families settled in Telangana. The proposed and approved measures address key areas, including education, healthcare, disability assistance, housing, mobility, employment and institutional infrastructure.
The Directorate of Sainik Welfare continues to uphold its guiding commitment, “On Mission to Serve Those Who Served the Nation,” with the objective of ensuring that veterans receive timely assistance and appropriate support after their service to the country.
The meeting marks a further step in strengthening the institutional framework for veteran welfare in Telangana, with an emphasis on financial assistance, economic empowerment and improved access to essential services for those who have served in the Armed Forces and their dependents.