A Detailed information for awareness of Ex-Servicemen
Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs) form the backbone of welfare administration for Ex-Servicemen (ESM) and their families at the district level. Functioning as the primary interface between the veteran community and local administration, ZSBs ensure the timely resolution of grievances, effective implementation of welfare schemes, and coordination with district authorities.
Role and Purpose of Zila Sainik Boards (ZSBs)
Each ZSB operates at the district level and may cover one or more revenue districts within a State or Union Territory.
Its key objectives include:
- Implementing welfare measures for ESM and their dependents.
- Maintaining direct contact with veterans and war widows.
- Coordinating with civil authorities to resolve local issues.
- Ensuring the smooth delivery of pension, resettlement support, and documentation.
The District Collector acts as the Chairman of the Board, ensuring administrative authority and district-level coordination.
Composition of Zila Sainik Boards
A ZSB is structured to ensure both administrative oversight and representation from the ESM community.
2.1 Official Composition
| Position | Description |
| President | District Collector |
| Vice-President | Senior Ex-Serviceman |
| Ex-Officio Members | Heads of State Government Departments, Recruiting Officer |
| Non-Official Members | Two ESMs and four prominent citizens |
| Secretary | Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO) |
2.2 Notes on Composition
- Flexibility:
State/UT Governments may modify the structure to suit local requirements, as long as the basic framework is preserved. - Multiple-District Jurisdiction:
If a ZSB oversees more than one district, its members must include representatives from all concerned districts.
Criteria for Setting Up New ZSBs
New Zila Sainik Boards can be established based on the population of ex-servicemen and military families in the area.
3.1 When States Can Set Up ZSBs Independently
- If the population of ESM and families of serving/deceased personnel is 7,500 or more, the State Government can directly establish a new ZSB.
3.2 When Central Government Approval is Required
- When the population is less than 7,500, especially in remote, hilly, or tribal regions, prior approval from the Central Government (DESW, Ministry of Defence) is mandatory.
Responsibilities of the Zila Sainik Welfare Officer (ZSWO)
The ZSWO, who also serves as the Secretary of the ZSB, is responsible for welfare, resettlement, administrative functions, and outreach activities. Their duties fall under four major categories:
Welfare Responsibilities
These tasks revolve around improving the wellbeing of ESM, widows, and dependents.
1. Pension and Financial Benefits
- Facilitating settlement of pension and other retirement benefits.
- Assisting beneficiaries in obtaining grants and financial aid.
- Ensuring smooth processing of applications.
- Facilitating life certification for elderly, disabled ESM and widows.
2. Liaison and Coordination
- Maintaining regular communication with:
- Pension Disbursing Authorities
- Army/Navy/Air Force Record Offices
- Ensuring timely payment of pensions and relief.
3. Assistance for Land and Legal Issues
- Supporting ESM in resolving land disputes and other civil matters.
4. Support for Families of Serving Personnel
- Providing safety and security-related support during the soldier’s absence.
5. Welfare Infrastructure
- Promoting and maintaining:
- Sainik Rest Houses
- Old age homes
- Jawan Bhavans and shops
- Training centres and vocational facilities
6. Medical Support
- Assisting ESM and families in accessing military and civil hospitals.
7. Collaboration with NGOs
- Liaising with charitable institutions and voluntary organizations to enhance welfare resources.
8. Maintaining Registers
- Maintaining updated records of:
- War widows
- Disabled soldiers
9. Representing ESM
- Raising grievances before district authorities or military establishments.
Resettlement Responsibilities
Focused on helping ESM transition to civilian careers and self-employment.
1. Coordination with Employment Agencies
- Liaising with:
- Public and private sector organizations
- Employment exchanges
- District Industries Centre
- Revenue authorities
2. Support for Small Industries and Entrepreneurship
- Assisting ESM in:
- Setting up small-scale industries
- Forming cooperative societies for self-employment
3. Assistance for War Widows and Disabled Soldiers
- Providing full support to:
- War widows
- Dependents
- War-disabled personnel
- Families of those who died in harness
4. Training and Skill Development
- Identifying and facilitating access to:
- Educational programmes
- Vocational training
- Skill enhancement opportunities
Other Responsibilities
1. Armed Forces Flag Day Activities
- Organizing Flag Day events and supporting fundraising measures.
2. ESM Rallies and Outreach Programs
To understand grassroots-level challenges and extend welfare support, the ZSB must:
- Conduct regular outreach visits, especially in remote areas.
- Interact with ESM to assess wellbeing and address pension or welfare issues.
- Felicitate:
- ESM
- War widows
- Gallantry awardees
on important national days like Independence Day, Republic Day, and Armed Forces Veterans Day (14 January).
3. Support to Armed Forces Formations
Providing local support for outreach programmes conducted by the Army, Navy, Air Force, and pension authorities.
4. Information Dissemination
Ensuring timely communication with the civilian population and ESM about:
- Role and functions of the Armed Forces
- Recruitment notices
- Terms and conditions of military service
- Opportunities for youth to join the Armed Forces
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations
- Gallantry award notifications
- New welfare schemes
Administrative Responsibilities
1. Determining ESM Status
- Verifying and confirming eligibility as per Central Government guidelines.
- Registering all eligible ESM at the ZSB.
2. Issuing Identity Cards
- Providing ID cards to ESM and dependents as per SOPs.
3. Maintaining Updated Data
- Digitizing and securely maintaining the complete database of:
- ESM
- Widows
- Dependents
4. Documentation
- Processing all post-retirement paperwork for ESM and their families.
5. Administration of Welfare Facilities
- Overseeing Sainik Rest Houses and allied infrastructure.
6. Legal Representation
- Representing Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), Ministry of Defence, in court cases.
7. Conducting ZSB Meetings
- Organizing periodic reviews chaired by the District Collector to examine welfare activities and resolve grievances.
8. Reporting
- Submitting returns, reports, and feedback to the State (RSB) and Central (KSB) authorities as required.
Role of Welfare Organisers (WO)
Welfare Organisers—usually retired JCOs—serve as the direct link between the ZSB and the ESM community.
Key Functions
- Conducting home visits and interacting directly with ESM families.
- Identifying challenges, welfare gaps, and grievances.
- Providing feedback to the ZSWO and State Sainik Board.
- Supporting awareness campaigns for welfare schemes.
- Assisting in resolving localised issues of ESM.
They are the field-level backbone of ZSB operations.
Conclusion
Zila Sainik Boards are indispensable pillars of the veteran welfare ecosystem in India. Through a well-defined structure, clearly assigned responsibilities, and coordinated interaction with local authorities, ZSBs ensure that the needs of ex-servicemen, war widows, and dependents are addressed efficiently.
By bridging the gap between the military and civilian administrative system, ZSBs play a crucial role in honouring the service and sacrifices of India’s soldiers and their families.
