Guwahati/IBNS: In a move to show its honour to the contribution of soldiers and their supreme sacrifices to the cause of the sovereignty and integrity of the nation, the Medical Education and Research Department, the Assam government has entered into an agreement with the Regional Centre (Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Services) Guwahati for providing cashless and cap less medical services for ECHS beneficiaries of defence forces in presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

Moreover, the Regional Centre (Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Services) Guwahati also signed an MoA with Assam Cancer Care Foundation for high-quality cancer care services for the ECHS beneficiaries of the defence forces.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarma hailing the landmark initiative said that the agreement would go a long way in extending medical coverage to the ex-servicemen and their family members in state govt medical colleges and cancer care hospitals.

He also congratulated the officials of the defence forces and the state Health Department for their collaboration to finalize the modalities of the agreement.

The Chief Minister also said, “In the eventful journey of our great nation, we have witnessed the bravery, dedication and endurance of our defence forces. The world has seen the indomitable spirit and fortitude of our brave jawans."

""The bravery displayed by the Indian armed forces while protecting the sovereignty and integrity of our motherland has sent a strong message to the world about India’s strength.

The commitment of our defence personnel to the nation has led to many incredible episodes of patriotism. The memories of the Indo-Pakistan War of ’71, the Kargil War are still fresh in our mind. Nine valiant soldiers from Assam made supreme sacrifices in the Indo-Pak War of ’71. Many sustained injuries but survived and many led the battlefront with outstanding leadership”.

Referring to a few instances in the recent past, the Chief Minister said that many defence personnel from Assam sacrificed their lives while protecting the country’s sovereignty.

"They are the pride and they immensely inspire generation after generation to devote their life and energy to building the democratic edifice of India," he said.

The Chief Minister also said that understanding the responsibility to stand by the brave hearts and their families and fulfilling its commitment, the state government recently has provided ex-gratia of Rs. 50 lakh to those who sacrificed their lives while protecting the country’s sovereignty.

"The state government has also ensured two per cent reservation for ex-servicemen in group C and D category State government jobs and reservation of seats for wards of ex-servicemen in medical colleges of the state," he said.

In 2022, the state government increased the reservation of MBBS seats for wards of ex-servicemen and serving defence personnel hailing from Assam from three to nine in the government medical colleges of Assam, the Chief Minister added.

Sarma also informed that in a recent Cabinet Meeting held at Gandhi Mandap on Dec 7,  the state government has decided to provide two per cent reservation for ex-servicemen in group A and B category state government jobs.

This is going to immensely benefit the persons serving in the defence forces and their families.

Sarma also said that every development should give added responsibility to the government functionaries.

He, therefore, asked the principals of medical colleges to create a dedicated system in their respective medical colleges to render seamless medical services to the ECHS beneficiaries of defence forces.