During a recent meeting, Baragada MP Pradeep Purohit appealed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to implement several initiatives aimed at supporting ex-servicemen, their families, and aspiring youth in western Odisha.
Purohit’s memorandum highlights the establishment of a District Sainik Welfare Board in Baragada, the opening of a CSD extension counter, and the approval of a proposed Sainik School in Padampur.
In his memorandum, Purohit pointed out that Baragada is home to numerous ex-servicemen and their families. The Baragada District Veterans Association (BDVA) has assisted over 2,000 veterans and their dependents since 2016; however, adequate welfare facilities are still lacking in the district.
To alleviate the burden of long-distance travel for local veterans, Purohit emphasized the need for a dedicated District Sainik Welfare Board in Baragada. Currently, the Sambalpur board manages services for seven districts, including Sambalpur, Baragada, Balangir, Sonpur, Sundaragada, Debagada, and Jharsuguda. A separate board would enhance the efficiency of critical services, such as pension processing and documentation for ex-servicemen in Baragada.
Furthermore, Purohit advocated for a new CSD Extension Counter in Baragada to assist elderly veterans who face challenges with lengthy travel and long wait times at the only CSD canteen in Sambalpur, which serves all seven districts.
Highlighting the significant contributions of western Odisha to the Armed Forces, Purohit remarked that the region consistently produces a large number of defense personnel but currently lacks a Sainik School. He informed the Defence Minister that all necessary steps for establishing a Sainik School in Padampur are complete and have been registered with the Sainik Schools Society.
According to Purohit, the school would not only provide quality education but also open up pathways for rural youth to pursue careers in the defense sector, ultimately contributing to the region’s socio-economic development.
