New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has debunked a misleading message doing the rounds on WhatsApp pertaining to donation to a particular bank account for the modernisation of the Indian Army and for the soldiers injured or killed in action.
“The message quotes a Cabinet decision to this effect and invokes the name of actor Akshay Kumar as being the prime mover of the proposal. The account details in the said message are wrong, leading to online donations getting dishonoured. People must remain cautious and not fall prey to such fraudulent messages,” the MoD has said through the Press Information Bureau (PIB).
The Government of India has allotted a record sum this year for acquisition by Indian Armed Forces and there is no requirement of funds – at least from the general public – to modernise the Army.
The Government has also initiated several welfare schemes for soldiers killed or disabled during active combat operations.
“In 2020, the Government instituted the ‘Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund (AFBCWF)’ which is utilised for grant of immediate financial assistance to the families of soldiers/sailors/airmen who lay down their lives or get grievously injured in active military operations. The Indian Army, on behalf of the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, maintains the accounts for the fund,” it has been clarified.
However, those who wish to contribute towards the welfare of soldiers can directly send money to any of the two accounts mentioned below.
1st Account
Fund Name
Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund
Bank Name
Canara Bank, South Block, Defence Headquarters New Delhi – 110011
IFSC Code
CNRB0019055
Account No
90552010165915
Type of A/c
Saving
2nd Account
Fund Name
Armed Forces Battle Casualties Welfare Fund
Bank Name
State Bank of India, Parliament Street, New Delhi – 110011
IFSC Code
SBIN0000691
Account No
40650628094
Type of A/c
Saving
Donations can also be made through a Demand Draft drawn in favor of AFBCWF payable at New Delhi which may be sent by post to the following address:
Accounts Section
Adjutant General’s Branch
Ceremonial & Welfare Directorate
Room No 281-B, South Block
IHQ of MoD (Army), New Delhi – 110011