The Cabinet has approved the extension of Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS) to Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas (NDGs) pensioners Ex-Service Men (ESM). The scheme will be optional for retired Ex-Servicemen NDG Pensioners. Only NDG Ex-servicemen pensioner (paid from Defence Estimates) are eligible for ECHS membership.
There are about 1 lakh ex-servicemen and 2.17 lakh dependents domiciled in Nepal who benefit from the Ex-servicemen Contributory Health Scheme, (ECHS). They are entitled for medical treatment under ECHS Scheme at Polyclinics, and ECHS empanelled civil hospitals in India. Emergency treatment in India under existing provisions is also available. Considering the practical difficulties being faced by NDG ESM in taking treatment, the Govt. has decided to provide medical facilities to them in Nepal itself. The facilities would be available on the same pattern as is available to Indian ESM residing in India.
Application forms can be collected from the nearest Station HQ of Army/Navy/Air Force in India or from Defence Attache at Kathmandu. Forms can also be down loaded from internet website www.indianarmy.nic.in/arecris.htm. War widows battle causalities and Pre 1996 retirees are exempted from payment of one time ECHS contribution. For others contribution will be as applicable in India in Indian Rupees. For NDGs staying in Nepal contribution can be deposited in India through the Military Receivable Order (MRQ) under existing provisions or deposited in the Indian Government treasury located at Embassy of India, Kathmandu. Persons retiring after the issue of this order will also exercise the option of deduction of contribution by the pension payment authority.
The submission of application forms for retired pensioners NDG ESM will be at the office of Assistant Military Attache (AMA) (ECHS), Embassy of India, Kathmandu supported by attested pension payment order, discharge certificate and proof of deposit of contribution. A Demand Draft for ECHS smart card at the rate of Rs 135/- per card in favour of Director, Regional Centre Lucknow will also have to be submitted. An affidavit with respect to dependency of parents/children as per existing practice in Nepal sworn before the Chief District Officers will be followed. Persons retiring after the issue of this order will submit application forms along with relevant documents through their Record Offices.
The application forms duly vetted by AMA (ECHS) Kathmandu will be forwarded to ECHS Regional Centre Lucknow.
AMA (ECHS), Embassy of India, Kathmandu will deal with matters related to ECHS in respect of pensioner NDG ESM at Nepal.
The present ECHS scheme provides comprehensive and quality health care benefits to pensioner ex-servicemen residing in India. Extending it to pensioner NDGs ex-servicemen in Nepal will meet a long outstanding need for providing health care to pensioner NDG ESM.
All other policies and procedures of ECHS which are applicable in India will also apply to pensioner Nepal Domiciled Gorkhas Ex-servicemen in Nepal.
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