India 2018

154 India 2018
through spare capacity available in service hospitals, all Government hospitals
and also through civil medical facilities empanelled with ECHS.
Central Organisation: At the apex level is the Central Organisation, ECHS located
in Delhi, which functions under the Chiefs of Staff Committee through the
Adjutant General in the Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence
(Army). The Central Organisation is headed by a serving Major General.
Executive control of ECHS is vested with Department of Ex-Servicemen
Welfare.
Regional Centres: There are a total of 28 regional centres spread across the
country. These regional centres oversee operationalisation and functioning of
ECHS Polyclinics placed under them and also take necessary action for
empanelment of civil hospitals with ECHS.
Polyclinics: A total of 432 ECHS Polyclinics, including six Polyclinics in Nepal,
have been sanctioned by the Government. Out of 426 ECHS Polyclinics in
India, 419 have been operationalised.
ECHS Membership: A total of 15,21,563 ESM have enlisted themselves with the
Scheme along with 32,02,610 dependents as on May 01, 2015. Total beneficiaries
under this scheme are 47,24,173.
Polyclinics and Civil Empanelled Medical Facilities: A total of 177 additional
medical facilities have been enlisted with ECHS in last one year. Now the
Scheme has 1,445 civil hospitals empanelled with it, for providing cashless
treatment to ECHS beneficiaries. However, in case of emergency, members
are permitted to avail medical treatment at non-empanelled hospital on
payment. Their medical treatment bills are reimbursed at approved (CGHS)
rates.
ECHS Toll-Free Helpline: ECHS Toll free Helpline has been made available for
all ECHS members at 1800-114-115 for resolving queries on membership,
treatment and employment. The service is available from Monday to Friday
on all working days from 0900-1700 hours.
ECHS Website: All information regarding ECHS, including list of empanelled
facilities, forms for membership and latest policies, etc. are available on
www.echs.gov.in.
Defence Pensions
Pension to approximately 30 lakh Defence pensioners/family pensioners is
disbursed through 20 public sector banks, 4 private sector banks viz., HDFC
Bank, ICICI Bank, AXIS Bank and IDBI Bank, 640 treasuries, 64 Defence Pension
Disbursing Offices (DPDOs), 2 post office, 5 Pay and Accounts Offices (PAOs)
scattered all over India. For the Armed Forces Pensioners residing in Nepal,
disbursement of pension is done through 3 Pension Payment Offices (PPOs).