Kathmandu – Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Purna Bahadur Khadka has suggested to use the money accumulated in the Military Welfare Fund for the purpose of getting maximum return. While inspecting the military welfare directorate on Sunday, he opined that the funds should be invested in plans and programs to provide more economic and social security to the beneficiaries.

The assets of the Soldier Welfare Fund have reached over 82 billion 66 million rupees. According to the headquarters of the Nepal Army, the fund has a cash balance of 75 billion 905 million rupees and has invested 6 billion 750 million rupees in various programs till the end of last December.

Jangi Adda also informed that more than 3 thousand people got direct employment from the educational institutions, health treatment facilities and other activities run under the Directorate of Military Welfare. The fund has given the data that more than 1 billion 250 million is directly contributing to the country’s revenue.

“I would like to draw attention to be careful to prevent the funds from being invested in risky areas and to mobilize them in more profitable and productive activities that contribute to the economic and social development of the country,” he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Khadka also suggested that the funds should be used to expand quality health and education services to Nepali soldiers and dependent families in the future.

Various welfare and income-generating programs are being coordinated and operated from the funds established for the greater welfare of the Nepali Army and dependent families.

Established in the year 2032, the fund is a contribution-based non-profit welfare program organization.

At the call of the United Nations, a part of the money received for deployment as a peacekeeping force in various conflict-affected countries of the world is also deposited in the fund.

Officers including Chief of Army Staff Prabhuram Sharma, Defense Secretary Kiran Sharma also participated in the inspection and discussion program.