GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of Defence
DEPARTMENT OF EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4538
ANSWERED ON MAY 8, 2013
QUESTION
Tax Concessions to Companies Hiring Retired Armed Forces Personnel
4538. SHRI RAJEEV CHANDRASEKHAR:
Will the Minister of DEFENCE be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government would consider granting tax incentives / concessions to companies who agree to hire retired / released armed forces veterans;
(b) if not, the reasons therefor; and
(c) the steps being taken by Government to address the unemployment levels amongst ex-servicemen and to ensure that ex-servicemen are employed in civil jobs, as per the prescribed reservation percentages?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
(SHRI JITENDRA SINGH)
(a) & (b): There is no such proposal as the companies are free to hire Ex-servicemen based on their skill requirements.
(c) Reservation ranging from 10% to 24.5% of the available vacancies in Group C & D posts in Central Government and Central Public Sector Undertakings / Banks has been provided for the willing and eligible Ex-servicemen. Most State Governments also provide reservation to Ex-servicemen in State Government jobs. 10% vacancies are reserved in all the posts up to the level of Assistant Commandant in all para-military forces. Moreover, suitable age relaxation is available for the ex-servicemen in services or posts filled by direct recruitment. The reservation policy for ex-servicemen is implemented by the concerned Government / Departments, Public Sector Undertakings and Banks. It is the responsibility of concerned organization to fill the vacant posts. However the government endeavours to explore every possible avenue for increasing employment opportunities for the Ex-servicemen through various initiatives including pre and post retirement trainings and awareness programmes. Suitable training is also imparted to the willing Ex-servicemen to prepare them for self-employment ventures.