PAYMENT OF ALLOWANCES TO INDIAN SOLDIERS

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Lok Sabha

The numerical strength of Indian defence personnel deployed in United Nations Peace Keeping Missions, country-wise and mission-wise as on date are 33 officers in Congo, eight officers in Kuwait, 826 all ranks in Lebanon and 1548 all ranks in Ethiopia/Eritrea.

The personnel selected for deployment in UN Missions are given special pre-induction training in peacekeeping techniques. In addition, the orientation course covers history and organisation of the UN and also the history of India’s contribution to UN Missions; detailed information on the geography; local laws and customs of the country of the Mission and the genesis of the Mission, in which the personnel are to be inducted.

The UN reimburses every troop contributing country, a standard amount per contingent member as overseas allowance (OSA). This is disbursed to the contingent members through official channels either in the Mission or in India. Other than the monthly OSA, the UN pays various other allowances viz. daily allowance, clothing allowance, leave allowance, as well as free rations to the troops. It also provides free air transportation for the troops to their home country and back once every six months. Military officers appointed as Military Observers in UN Missions are paid subsistence allowance directly by the UN. The UN is paying various allowances and benefits admissible to Indian defence personnel deployed in UN Peace Keeping Missions.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri George Fernandes in a written reply to Shri Jai Prakash and Shri Dalpat Singh Parste in Lok Sabha today.