‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’ (MBKS) website launched for Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF)

2022-10-14 | Abhilash Singh

Indian soldiers protect the nation with dedication, strong will, and unmatched ability. They are everywhere in the country whether it is as high as Siachin Glacier, dense forests, or desert areas. Everyone respects the Indian soldiers and wants to make some contribution.

In order to enable citizens to contribute towards Armed Forces Fund, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has launched the ‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’ (MBKS) website for the ‘Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund’ (AFBCWF).

Maa Bharti ke Sapoot website launched

The website was launched at an event held in National War Memorial Complex, New Delhi on 14 October 2022. The website will allow citizens to provide financial assistance to battle casualties of the Indian armed forces, their next of kin and dependents.

Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan, all three Service Chiefs- General Manoj Pandey (Chief of the Army Staff), Admiral R Hari Kumar (Chief of Naval Staff) and Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari (Chief of the Air Staff), Param Vir Chakra (PVC) awardees and other prominent officials of Defence Ministry and others were present at the launch.

During the event, 10 Next of Kins of soldiers who got handicapped while participating in active military operations were also felicitated.

About Armed Forces Welfare Funds

Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF) is a Tri-service fund. It will be used to provide immediate financial assistance to the next of Kin and dependents of soldiers who got disabled while they were involved in some operations.

Similarly, the Indian Government has launched various other Welfare Schemes for the soldiers who died or became physically handicapped during active military operations while on duty. Some of the initiatives are National Defence Fund, Army Central Welfare Fund and Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund, explained below.

National Defence Fund

‘National Defence Fund' (NDF) was launched to take charge of voluntary donations in cash and kind received for supporting defence efforts and to decide on their use. Citizens can contribute towards the fund through online mode. Fund contribution under the NDF is exempted from Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.

It accepts voluntary donations from individuals, organisations, companies and institutions.

National Defence Fund is used for the welfare of the members of the Armed Forces (including Para Military Forces) and their dependents.

The fund is managed by an Executive Committee headed by PM with Defence, Finance and Home Ministers as Members. Finance Minister acts as the Treasurer of the Fund.

Under the fund, the PM scholarship scheme is being implemented to promote technical and post-graduation education for the widows and children of the deceased personnel of the Armed Forces, Para Military Forces, all State Police, and the Railway Protection Force. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Home Affairs, and Ministry of Railways are the implementing agency for the armed forces, personnel of Para Military Forces and State Police Force, and the personnel of Railway Protection force, respectively.

Army Central Welfare Fund and Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund

Army Central Welfare Fund and Army Battle Casualties Welfare Fund are the two accounts operated by the Indian Army to accept contributions for serving and retired soldiers and their families.

Army Central Welfare Fund: It is used to pay financial assistance to widows of soldiers, their next of Kin, dependents, and needy Ex-Servicemen.

Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund: On the behalf of Govt of India/Ministry of Defence, Indian Army maintains this account to accept donations for families of battle casualties of three armed forces, their next of kin and dependents.

‘Goodwill Ambassador’ of ‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’ website

Renowned actor Amitabh Bachchan is named as the ‘Goodwill Ambassador’ of the Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund (AFBCWF) website, ‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’.

Amitabh Bachchan is also the brand ambassador of the Pulse Polio programme.

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