BHUBANESWAR: Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare on Wednesday set a time limit of two years for completion of all development works and utilisation of the Amalgamated Fund meant for the benefit of the war widows, ex-servicemen and their dependants. Bhandare, who is also chairman of the Managing Committee of Amalgamated Fund Orissa, termed the long delay in completion of works as “inexcusable”, and emphasised on initiation of expedient steps for establishment of a Sainik Bhawan in Bhubaneswar. Repair and renovation of Sainik Rest Houses in Cuttack, Berhampur and Dhenkanal, increasing the number and amount in welfare schemes, enhancement of pay of staff of Amalgamated Fund and conduct of district-level ex-servicemen rallies were discussed. The Governor termed construction of the Martyrs’ Memorial in Bhubaneswar to commemorate the supreme sacrifices of the brave soldiers as commendable but expressed concern over the falling levels of contributions to the benefit fund. Orissa was lagging far behind other states, especially in contribution to the Armed Forces Flag Day. Collection of the fund in 2010 was a mere ` 2.57 lakh when ` 17.04 lakh was collected in 2000. “People have to be made aware of the value of contributing for the welfare of the soldiers and their families. Innovative means should be devised to increase the collection,’’ he emphasised. He inaugurated the website of the Rajya Sainik Board and stressed regular updating for the benefit of the ex-servicemen and their families. First Vice-Chairman and Chief Secretary BK Patnaik, Special Secretary, Home, Debasish Panigrahi, Special Secretary to Governor SP Mishra and Member-Secretary of the Fund Brig (retd) GP Panigrahi were present.
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