Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel place garlands on the flag-draped coffins of their colleagues, who were killed in an explosion, during a ceremony in Ranchi May 4, 2011
Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel place garlands on the flag-draped coffins of their colleagues, who were killed in an explosion, during a ceremony in Ranchi May 4, 2011Reuters

Indian Administration Services officers have taken an initiative to support the families of security personnel (defence, central armed police forces and state police) who die in the line of duty. 

"The Indian Civil and Administrative Service (Central) Association has resolved that the IAS officers posted as sub-divisional magistrates, additional district magistrates or district magistrates will adopt at least one family of a security personnel, whether they belong to police, paramilitary or military, killed in action to provide them help for at least the next five to 10 years," Sanjay Bhoosreddy, the secretary of the association, said.

The officers will not provide monetary support, and will focus on helping the families get their dues like pension, gratuity or allotment of jobs. They would preferably adopt the family of a martyred soldier in their first place of posting as sub-divisional magistrate, additional district magistrate and district magistrate.

"The IAS officer will not provide any direct financial assistance to the family but he or she can hand-hold them in many ways. The officer may ensure that the dependents of the dead security personnel get all their dues in terms of the money pledged by the state and central government," Bhoosreddy added. These officers will ensure that the children from these families continue to get good education and will also guide the family to avail benefits under government schemes like Skill India, Start-up India and Digital India.

The officers will also safeguard the families from harassment and ensure that they get medical services in private and government hospitals. They would guide them if they want to start their own business, and even reach out to financial organisations. 

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir, former Indian cricket team member and captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Indian Premier League (IPL), also announced earlier this week that he will bear the educational expenses of the children of 25 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed in an attack by Maoists in Chhattisgarh's Sukma district on Monday, April 24.