There is a policy of the Government to provide reservation in professional institutions to the wards of Defence personnel including ex-servicemen. Different State Governments provide reservation for the wards of the ex-servicemen Defence Personnel in professional institutions. In addition, 27 MBBS and 1 BDS seats are reserved for wards of ex-servicemen/serving soldiers under various categories at all India level coordinated by Kendriya Sainik Board with the Ministry of Health. These benefits are being utilized.

            This information was given by the Minister of State for Defence Shri MM Pallam Raju  in a written reply to Shri Prabhunath Singh in Lok Sabha today

EXPLOSION IN INS MAGAR

            The Indian Navy Ship INS, Magar sailed from Vishakhapatnam on Feb 22, 2006 to dump life-expired ammunition in the sea. There were 224 boxes to be dumped. After the dumping of 220 boxes, one of the boxes caught fire igniting another box at 1702 hrs on 22 Feb 2006. The resultant fire claimed the life of three sailors and seriously injured six sailors who were evacuated by helicopter to the Naval hospital at Vishakhapatnam. Two of the six injured sailors subsequently died. In addition 13 sailors, who received burn injuries, were admitted to hospital, of whom seven sailors have been discharged after receiving necessary treatment. The ship did not suffer any structural damage in this accident. Dumping of life-expired ammunition is a standard practice and is conducted according to requirements in earmarked dumping areas. This is the first such incident that has occurred while dumping life-expired ammunition. A board of inquiry has been ordered to investigate the reason of this accident. On receipt of the Report, further remedial measures will be instituted to avoid recurrence of such incidents in future.

            This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri Pranab Mukherjee in a written reply to Smt Nivedita Mane and others in Lok Sabha today

ASR / RAJ