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- Government of Meghalaya
In the State of Meghalaya, the welfare of Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and their dependants is administered by the General Administration Department (B) [GAD(B)]. The Commissioner & Secretary, GAD(B) oversees the functioning of the Department of Sainik Welfare, which exercises overall administrative control and supervision over the Zila Sainik Welfare Offices (ZSWOs) in the State.
At the national level, the Hon'ble Raksha Mantri is the President of the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB). Correspondingly, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya serves as the President of the Rajya Sainik Board (RSB), while the Deputy Commissioner of the respective district is the Chairman of the Zila Sainik Board (ZSB). The Director, Department of Sainik Welfare, functions as the Secretary to the Rajya Sainik Board, and the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer serves as the Secretary to the respective Zila Sainik Board.
The Rajya Sainik Board is the apex State-level body responsible for advising the Government on matters relating to the welfare, rehabilitation, resettlement, and employment of Ex-Servicemen, war widows, widows, and their dependants. Its policies and programmes are implemented through the Department of Sainik Welfare and the network of Zila Sainik Welfare Offices/Zila Sainik Boards, which provide welfare and support services to beneficiaries across the State.
In accordance with the prescribed norms, Zila Sainik Welfare Offices are established in districts having a population of 7,500 or more Ex-Servicemen, their widows, dependants, and families of serving Defence personnel. However, in remote and hilly districts, this minimum population criterion may be relaxed in accordance with the applicable Government rules to ensure the effective delivery of welfare services.