Staffing Norms of RSB & ZSB

(a) Organise Armed Forces Flag Day with President ZSB and facilitate Flag Day collections and implement authorised fund raising measures in their district.

(b) Organise rallies/re-union, ESM welfare meetings with President ZSB to resolve their problems, atleast once each month on a fixed day.

(c) Explore avenues for providing educational and vocational training facilities for Ex-Servicemen and their dependents to enable them to seek employment or set up self-employment venture.

(d) Assist the three Services whenever called upon in disseminating information on Armed Forces within the district. Provide publicity towards recruitment notices and assistance rendered by the Armed Forces in national calamities. Publicise notification of gallantry awards/ other decorations, introduction of welfare schemes of service personnel and their families.

22. Outreach Karyakaram for ESM. In order to get first hand assessment of challenges and socio-economic conditions of the ESM, especially those staying in remote/hilly/border areas, outreach Karyakarams are being regularly conducted. This include an interaction with the ESM fraternity, ascertaining well being in general, pension issues and other specific problems being faced by them alongwith felicitations of ESM/Veer Naris. As a part of “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations, an Outreach Karyakaram was also organised at Haldwani, Uttarakhand on 14 Jul 22, which was graced by Hon’ble RRM Shri Ajay Bhatt. More than 1000 ESM and their dependents participated in the event. In addition, in last three months, Rajya Sainik Board (RSB)/ State Managing Committee (SMC) meetings have been conducted in various states. It is a constant endeavour at KSB to improve and safeguard the well being of our precious ESM fraternity.

23. Census of ESM and Widows. Towards ascertaining the efficacy of welfare measures being undertaken vis-à-vis its enhancement scope and commensurate projected budgetary requirements consolidated data of ESM is updated biannually. The Census of ESM and Widows as on 30 Apr 2022 is attached as Appendix ‘B’.

Staffing Norms at RSBs and ZSBs

24. It is incumbent of States/ UTs to implement various clauses/ recommendations of ‘High level Committee (HLC) Report, 1984’, in regard to the staffing norms, given the fact that the Indian Armed Forces have a National charter and the rules applicable to Armed Forces are framed by the Central Govt, which therefore mandate retaining uniformity of all facilities connected with soldiers, both serving and retired. In addition. establishment cost of RSBs/ ZSBs is funded by the Central Govt (up to 75% in special category States and 60% in others, with State Govts./ UT Admins contributing 25% and 40% respectively).

25. Staffing Norms of RSB.

(a) The number of supervisors and staff required to handle the basic responsibilities of the RSB depends on the workload viv-a-vis the number of ZSWOs it is required to administer and the density of population of ESM, dependents/ families.

(b) The basic establishment recommended for RSBs is as follows: -

Ser Appointments Authorisation

(i) Director 1 (ii) Superintendent 1 (iii) Welfare Organiser As applicable (one per 10,000 population of ex- servicemen and families of serving/deceased service personnel applicable to departments which have dual function as Zila Sainik Welfare office and Deptt of Sainik Welfare)

(iv) Accountant

1 (v) Clerk-cum-Typists 3 (vi) PA 1 (vii) Daftry 1 (viii) Peon 1 (ix) Driver 1 (x) Chowkidar 1 (xi) Sweeper 1

(c) Norms for Addl Supervisors/ other Staff. Besides basic establishment having nil to one ZSB to administer, additional manning is recommended especially for RSBs with more numbers. The Sub-Committee recommends following:-

Ser Appointments Authorisation

Officers (Class-I)

(i) Jt Director 1 for every 5 Dy directors authorized. (ii) Dy Director 1 per 5 Zila Sainik Offices upto 25 Zila Sainik Offices that the DSW is to administer. Beyond 25 Zila Sainik Welfare Offices, 1 Dy Director per 10 ZSWOs.

Non-Gazetted Posts

(i) Auditor 1 per department. Applicable to Deptts having more than 5 Zila Sainik Welfare Office to administer.

(ii) Accountant 1 per department. Additional accountant for Deptts having more than 20 Zila Sainik Welfare Offices to administer.

(iii) PA

(iv) Steno

1 for Director (Brig/Col equivalent) 1 for Jt Director (Col equivalent) 1 for 2 Dy Directors (Lt Col equivalent) (v) Clerks 1 additional Clerk for every Zila Sainik Board added to the basic establishment. (vi) Peons 1 for Director 1 for Jt Director 1 for every 15 Ministerial staff (vii) Driver 1 for every additional vehicle Note – Service terms of Suptt/ UDC/ LDC/ PA/ Steno will be as per State norms.

(d) Miscellaneous Staff (Chowkidar/Sweeper). These posts are to be created at a rate of one category each as per standard establishment prescribed for RSBs.

(e) Additional Staff (Over and above the norms). For any additional staff for RSB, if deemed appropriate by the State Govt/UT, the Central Government’s explicit approval is mandatory. In such cases the State Govt/ UT Admin need not be rigid in applying local norms/ RRs, given the fact that these requirements arise from verbal complaints/ requests of ESM, widows or ESM Associations.

26. Staffing Norms of ZSB.

(a) New Zila Sainik Boards can be instituted by a State itself, if the population of ESM/ families of serving and deceased service personnel is more than 7,500. In other cases, prior approval of the Central Government is necessary.

(b) The standard establishment of ZSB with 7,500 plus population is as follows: -

Ser Appointments Authorisation

(i) Secretary 1 (ii) Asstt. Secretary 1 (For Zila Sainik Boards where the population of ex-servicemen and families is more than 20,000. (iii) Suptt/ Head Clerk 1 (iv) Welfare Organiser 1 (one for every additional 10,000 ESM and families of serving/deceased personnel). (v) Clerk UDC/LDC 1 (vi) Clerk Typist 1

(vii) Clerk Accounts 1

(viii) Peon 1

(ix) Chowkidar

(x) Driver

(xi) Sweeper 1

1 (Where as independent transport is authorized) 1 (Instead of Class IV as recommended by the Sub-Committee)

(c) ZSBs with ESM Population Below 7,500.

Ser Appointments Authorisation

(i) Secretary 1 (ii) Suptt/Head Clerk 1 (iii) Welfare Organiser 1 (iv) Clerk UDC/LDC 1 (v) Clerk Typist 1 (vi) Driver 1 (Where independent transport is provided) (vii) Sweeper 1

(d) Additional staff if required, shall be to be provided at the instance of the state/ UT conforming to RRs. However, for new categories of posts (other than those specified above) prior approval of the Centre through KSB is mandatory.

(e) Prior sanction of the Centre is also required for posts of Assistant Secretary in ZSBs with ESM population less than 20,000.

27. Other Essential Norms.

(a) The recommendations of the HLC of 1984 and MoD Guidelines of 2013, both highlight appointment of only ESM in Sainik Boards. Notwithstanding, some states continue to engage state Govt officials and non-ESMs, laterally. The non-ESM staffing pattern does not lend itself to maximum efficiency due of lack of understanding and fathoming of the many complexities of the Armed Forces - ESM policies and procedures. The reimbursement of expenditure on pay & allowances of staff (75/60 %) of actual expenditure by the state, also called the “Central Share” should be limited to ESM staff only.

(b) The Sub-Committee Report on standardisation of DSWs of 1993 has