<span style="color: #222222;">A Parliamentary panel today recommended setting up a separate department within the Ministry of Defence exclusively for the welfare of martyred soldiers' families. The panel headed by Jual Oram presented 31st report on Assessment of Welfare Measures available to War Widows and families in Armed Forces to the parliament.<br />''<br />''The committee observed that though the loss of life of a soldier cannot be evaluated in monetary terms, however, the financial grant is helpful in providing a reasonable and respectful life to family members of the soldier. Further, it also acts as an incentive and encouragement for the youth to join the Armed Forces.<br />''<br />''In view of this notion and considering an increase in the rate of inflation, the Committee recommended that the government should seriously consider increasing the ex-gratia fund by 10 lakh rupees in each of the extant categories of death of the soldier.<br />''<br />''The Committee also recommended that a suitable mechanism should be formulated to ensure that at least eligible and willing Veer-Nari or next of kin be given either employment or a resettlement option at the earliest.</span><br />