Ex-Servicemen mobilised to fight COVID-19 pandemic

"Rajya Sainik Boards and Zila Sainik Boards are playing a dynamic role in identifying and mobilising maximum ESM volunteers to assist the State and District Administration in performing public outreach activities such as contact tracing, community surveillance, management of quarantine facilities or any such tasks assigned to them," the ministry said in a statement.

It is heartening to note the ex-servicemen across the country have risen to the occasion of ‘Service before Self' at a time when nation has made a clarion call and need them to fight this unique challenge, it added.

Ex-servicemen are disciplined, motivated and well trained to operate in adverse situations and they have pan-India presence in all the districts and villages, the ministry said.

In the state of Punjab, an organisation called ‘Guardians of Governance’, comprising 4,200 ESM, are assisting in data collection from all the villages.

Chhattisgarh government has employed some ESM to assist the police.

Similarly in Andhra Pradesh, all the District Collectors have asked for ESM volunteers.

In Uttar Pradesh, all Zila Sainik Kalyan Adhikaris are in touch with District Control Rooms and retired Army Medical Corps personnel have been identified and kept ready.
In addition, Sainik Rest Houses are being readied in Uttarakhand to act as isolation Centres if need arises.