Reemployment of Ex–servicemen
Retired defence personnel may earn a living even after retirement. The Central and state governments provide a number of concessions to ex–servicemen (ESM) for their re–employment in Central or State government posts.  This consists of reservation of posts, relaxation in age and educational qualifications and exemption from payment of application or examination fees. While giving jobs, a special priority is provided to disabled ex–servicemen and dependants of deceased service personnel on compassionate grounds. Here are a few details on employment opportunities for ex–servicemen.

• Central Government has reserved 10 per cent of Group “C” posts and 20 per cent of Group “D” posts for ex–servicemen
• Public Sector Units and nationalized banks provide 14.5 per cent reservation for Group “C” posts and 24 per cent reservation in Group “D” posts.
• 10 per cent of posts of Assistant Commandant in the paramilitary forces are reserved for ex–servicemen.

The Directorate General of Resettlement (DGR) registers or sponsors private ex–servicemen security agencies for providing security guards to various Public Sector Units and industries in the private sector.  Some states have set up their own Ex Servicemen Corporations to provide security services in the state. The Department of Public Enterprises had issued instructions to all Public Sector Units to hire security personnel only from state ex–servicemen corporations or DGR sponsored Security Agencies. Currently there are around 1800 ESM security agencies that have provided employment to over 1,10,000 ex– servicemen.

The government has also set up self–employment schemes to help retired defence personnel set up small scale or medium scale businesses. The Self Employment Scheme for Ex Servicemen II and III (SEMFEX–II and SEMFEX–III) and the National Equity Fund Scheme are some such schemes. These schemes provide loans to ex servicemen for starting a small–scale business. The application for the sanction of a loan needs to be submitted to the Zila Sainik Board.

Other employment opportunities for Ex–Servicemen are the Coal Transport Companies Scheme and the Coal Tipper Scheme. Petrol Pumps, LPG and Kerosene Dealerships have been allotted to personnel with disabilities that can be attributed to military service. Preference is given to ex–Servicemen, disabled defence personnel and widows in the allotment of public telephone booths. In the National Capital Region of Delhi, ex defence personnel are involved in operating Mother Dairy booths, vegetable stores and Compressed Natural Gas stations.

Housing Benefits
Housing is a mandatory requirement in everyone’s life. Whether you are retired from the defence forces or a regular senior citizen, having a house means a lot when it comes to asserting your independence. Keeping this in mind, the central government as well as several state governments has come up with plans and schemes to enable retired defence personnel to buy a home or piece of land. Ex military personnel may also apply for financial assistance to construct a home.

Sainik Bhavans or Sainik Rest House facilities are another housing benefit available for retired defence personnel and their dependants. These rest houses provide transit facility at very nominal rates. Currently, there are around 238 Sainik Bhawans located all over the country. For more information about these benefits, ex–servicemen may contact the staff at their local Kendriya Sainik Board.

The Army Welfare Housing Organization or AWHO is a society that is responsible for constructing houses for serving men, retired army personnel and widows of army personnel at selected stations in the country. Recently, AWHO has launched the ‘Jai Jawan Awas Yojna’ programme to construct economical houses for serving Junior Commissioned Officers and Other Ranks of the Army. These houses are being made near Army cantonments so that families residing there have easy access to facilities such as army hospitals and army schools in the area.