To better manage and help philanthropic organisations and individuals who wish to give monetary support to battle casualty and their kin, the Indian Army has created a centralised fund to receive donations, said a government statement on Monday.

The new fund ‘Army Welfare Fund Battle Casualties’ will be in addition to the various existing schemes for the welfare of next of kin and children of battle casualties.

The fund will be used for the welfare of families of the martyred soldiers.

Organisations and individuals who desire to donate to the cause may transfer the contribution directly in the account of “Army Welfare Fund Battle Casualties”, the statement said.

Contribution to this fund is purely voluntary in nature and it will be exclusively used for the welfare of families of battle casualties.

The army’s proposal to make contribution to this fund eligible for tax exemption is under consideration with the income tax department.