Dehradun, Oct. 6 -- Chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday said the state government was committed to the welfare of soldiers and their families. Paying tributes to the brave martyrs of Uttarakhand during the Martyrs' Honour Ceremony held in Lansdowne, Pauri Garhwal, he announced a series of welfare measures for soldiers and their families. Addressing the gathering, Dhami said that nearly every household in Uttarakhand has a member with a military background. "The state government is continuously working for the welfare of soldiers and their families," he said, adding that a funeral assistance of Rs.10,000 was being provided for the last rites of slain soldiers. He said the ex gratia amount given to the families of slain soldiers has already been increased from Rs.10 lakh to Rs.50 lakh and Param Vir Chakra are now getting Rs.1.5 crore Soldiers were also being granted a 25% stamp duty exemption on land purchases, added the chief minister. Announcing several development projects, Dhami said the Sainik Vishram Griha in Kotdwar will be renovated and equipped with modern facilities for the comfort of soldiers and their families. Common Service Centers will be set up to provide free services by appointing Veer Naris and ex-servicemen in the Directorate of Sainik Welfare and district offices, he added. "Financial assistance will be provided for the renovation of the Garhwal Rifles Regimental Center Museum in Lansdowne, and the Primary Health Center, Jayharikhal, will be upgraded. Educational institutions and roads are being renamed in honour of slain soldiers, including Government Inter College, Kartia after Martyr Kamal Singh Rawat, and High School, Dobariyasar after Martyr Anuj Singh Negi. Roads such as Barua-Chinbo and Jayharikhal-Gumkhal will also bear the names of martyrs Keshavanand Dhyani and Khushal Singh Negi, respectively", he said. Dhami said that World War II veterans and widows will now receive an honorarium, regardless of grants received from other sources. He underscored the symbolic significance of the Sainya Dham, calling it not merely a structure but a representation of immortal souls, and urged citizens to plant "One Tree in the Name of Martyrs" to honour their memory. "Under the Integration of Families of Martyrs into Government Service scheme, 28 families have already been appointed, with 13 more cases in progress. The previous two-year application period for this scheme has been extended to five years, ensuring greater accessibility for eligible families", he said. During the ceremony, the chief minister honoured families and dependents of the slain soldiers by presenting copper plaques and ceremonial robes. He inspected the Army band, extended best wishes to personnel, and laid a wreath at the statue of Amar Shaheed Gabbar Singh Negi, emphasizing that it is because of martyrs like Negi that the people of the nation remained secure. Dhami also lit a lamp in front of copper urns containing sacred soil collected from the courtyards of martyrs across the state, offering floral tributes. The soil will later be installed in the Sainya Dham under construction in Dehradun, symbolizing the eternal memory of the brave soldiers. Highlighting the state's and nation's defence capabilities, the Chief Minister stated that India is now a leading country in defence exports and equipped to respond decisively to any threats. Sainik welfare minister Ganesh Joshi praised the conclusion of the Martyrs' Samman Yatra 2.0, and said that sacred soil from 71 slain soldiers would be installed at the Amar Jawan Jyoti ahead of the Sainya Dham. Rajya Sabha MP Mahendra Bhatt lauded the state as both Devbhoomi, land of gods and Veerbhoomi, land of brave soldiers, emphasizing that soldiers are immortal heroes whose sacrifices ensure freedom and security for all citizens....