The Armed Forces Flag Day is annually observed across India on 7th December to honour the martyrs and the men and women in uniform who protects the honour of the country.
The first Armed Forces Flag Day was observed on 7th December 1949.
The Government of India has decided that December 2020 will be celebrated as the “Gaurav Maah” (Pride Month) to honour the contributions of armed forces and its veterans.
Purpose:
To collect welfare funds for the security personnels who were disabled and for the family of the personnels who lost their life in the line of duty.
- The fund is collected from the citizens through the distribution of small flags in return of donation.
Background:
On 28th August 1949, The Government of India proclaimed the 7th December as the Flag Day, based on the recommendation of the committee under the Defense minister
Edition of the Armed Forces Flag Day Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) Conclave:
i.Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, presided over the 2nd Edition of the Armed Forces Flag Day Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) Conclave which was organised on 4th December 2020.
ii.He stated that the Defense sector of India which was outside the limits of the private sector is now open to Indian Private sector.
iii.He noted that the contribution of the Indian industry through CSR has increased the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund(AFFDF).
iv.The corporate contribution to the AFFDF, fulfills the CSR obligation under section 135 of Companies Act, 2013.
Armed Forces Flag Day Fund:
i.Ministry of Defence consolidated Flag Day Fund, Amalgamated Special Fund for War Bereaved, War Disabled and other ex-Servicemen/Serving Personnel, Indian Gorkha Ex-Servicemen’s Welfare Fund and St Dunstan’s (India) and Kendriya Sainik Board Fund into a single fund as “Armed Forces Flag Day Fund(AFFDF)” in 1993.
ii.The fund is managed by the Kendriya Sainik Board (KSB), under the Ministry of Defence.
Benefits:
i.The Armed Forces Flag Day Fund (AFFDF) was constituted by the Government of India to support the welfare and rehabilitation of Ex-servicemen (ESM) community.
ii.The fund will be used to support more than 32 lakh ESM.
Every year more than 60000 ESM are added due to early superannuation.
The donations for the AFFDF can be made online through http://ksb.gov.in/DonateAFFDF.htm
Key Points:
i.Rajya/Zila Sainik Boards are responsible for the formulation of policy and implementation of resettlement and welfare schemes for ex-servicemen, widows and their dependents in the respective states, Union Territories or districts.
ii.There are more than 32 Rajya Sainik Boards and 392 Zila Sainik Boards in India.
Note:
The donations to the Armed Forces Flag Day funds are exempted from Income Tax vide Government of India Notification No. 78/2007 dated 26 Mar 07 and under section 80 G (5) (vi) of Income Tax Act 1961 vide Director of Income Tax (E) letter No. NQ.DIT (E) | 2010-11/DEL-AE22280-04012011/2186 dated 04 Jan 11.
Ministry of Defence:
Union Minister– Rajnath Singh
Minister of State– Shripad Yesso Naik
