New Delhi, October 23: In a show of solidarity with the grieving family of Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman, the Indian Army clarified its stance on compensating the next of kin, emphasizing that such compensation is determined by the soldier’s terms of service. Agniveer Laxman made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the challenging Siachen region, as reported by the Army through its official X handle on Sunday.
The Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADG PI) at the IHQ of MoD (Army) issued a statement to address the conflicting information circulating on social media regarding financial aid to the deceased soldier’s next of kin. The statement underscored that the emoluments owed to the bereaved family are governed by the terms and conditions of the soldier’s service.
According to the terms of engagement for Agniveer personnel, the emoluments provided to the next of kin of a fallen soldier include the following:
- A non-contributory insurance sum of Rs 48 lakh.
- Seva Nidhi contributions by Agniveer (30%), matched by the government, along with accrued interest.
- Ex-gratia payment of Rs 44 lakh.
- Payment of the soldier’s salary for the remaining tenure from the date of death until the completion of four years (exceeding Rs 13 lakh in this case).
- A contribution of Rs 8 lakh from the Armed Forces Battle Casualty Fund.
- Immediate financial assistance of Rs 30,000 from the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA).
In a tribute earlier on Sunday, the Army paid homage to the fallen Agniveer operator who laid down his life in the harsh terrain of the Siachen glacier. The Army’s Fire and Fury Corps conveyed its deepest condolences to the family, posting on X, “Quartered in snow, silent to remain. When the bugle calls, they shall rise and march again. All ranks of Fire and Fury Corps salute the supreme sacrifice of Agniveer (Operator) Gawate Akshay Laxman in the line of duty in the unforgiving heights of Siachen.”
