Captain Anshuman Singh’s parents demand revision on ‘Next of Kin’ policy
Captain Anshuman Singh's parents demand revision on ‘Next of Kin’ policy
13/July/2024.
Captain Anshumaan Singh’s unwavering commitment to protecting his nation and his selfless sacrifices made him a true hero.
Following the posthumous award of the Kirti Chakra to their son, Captain Anshuman Singh, the parents are advocating for changes to the Indian Army’s ‘next of kin’ (NOK) policy. This policy governs the distribution of financial aid to families in case of a soldier’s demise, as reported by TV9 Bharatvarsh.
Ravi Pratap Singh and Manju Singh, the parents of Captain Anshuman Singh, expressed their concerns in an interview with TV9 Bharatvarsh. They highlighted the need for a reassessment of the NOK policy, especially considering that their daughter-in-law, Smriti Singh, who no longer resides with them, receives the majority of the benefits following Anshuman’s tragic demise in a fire incident in Siachen last July. Ravi Pratap Singh also mentioned reaching out to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding this matter, emphasizing the challenges they face as co-recipients of Anshuman’s Kirti Chakra, despite their son’s short-lived marriage and absence of children. The emotional impact was evident as Ravi Pratap Singh described their home with only Anshuman’s photo adorned with a garland on the wall.
Ravi Pratap Singh and Manju Singh are advocating for a reevaluation of the NOK policy, suggesting that the definition should include the requirement for the martyr’s wife to reside with the soldier’s family, especially when there are multiple dependents involved. They expressed their desire for policy adjustments to avoid other parents facing similar challenges in the future, as shared in the interview with TV9 Bharatvarsh.
Under the current policy, the ‘next of kin’ (NOK) rules in the Indian Army state that when a person enlists, the names of their parents or guardians are initially listed as their closest relatives. However, upon marriage, the spouse typically supersedes the parents in the NOK records. This means that the spouse becomes the primary recipient of benefits and entitlements in the event of the soldier’s demise, often leading to complexities in situations like the one faced by Captain Anshuman Singh’s family.
