In a major decision, the Centre has announced that it would take care of payment of school/college fee, tuition, fee, etc. in respect of children of slain, disabled and ‘disappearing’ soldiers of armed forces.  The ceiling of provision of Rs.10000/- per month as educational assistance is done away with, with immediate effect.

Union Ministry of Finance has issued a separate order in this regard.  The concession, however, would apply to those children of soldiers (who die while on duty, who become disabled and who ‘disappear’ while on duty) studying in Govt. Schools and Govt.-aided schools/colleges across the country recognized by the State and the Centre as well as to autonomous educational institutions.

Centre had earlier been taking care of paying tuition fee, hostel fee, book fee, uniform fee, etc. in respect of these children.  It was changed to Rs.10,000/- per month based on the recommendations of the VII Central Pay Commission.

The new order comes into force following a plea addressed to Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman from Admiral Anil Lamba of Indian Navy.