Andhra Pradesh government extends Rs 50 lakh ex-gratia to Chittoor martyr's family who died in TN chopper crash

TIRUPATI: Andhra Pradesh Chief minister YS Jaganmohan Reddy announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 50 lakh for the family of Lance Naik Boggala Sai Teja, who lost his life in the fatal chopper crash near Coonoor in Tamil Nadu on December 8. The Chief Minister’

s Office

on Saturday posted a message to that effect on its official handle on Twitter.

Hailing from Eguva Regada village in Chittoor district’s Kurabalakota mandal, Teja joined the Indian army in 2012 as a sepoy, and while serving in Bangalore Regiment, he was selected for the para commando training. Last year, he was appointed as the personal security officer to the country's first Chief of defence staff, General Bipin Rawat.

Along with Gen Bipin Rawat, Sai Teja was also one of the 13 persons who lost their lives in the Mi-17V5 helicopter crash that took place near Coonoor, when they were on their way to the Defence services staff college at Wellington.

Following the chief minister’

s announcement

, Dy CM K Narayana Swamy along with Panchayat raj minister

Peddireddy Ramachandra Reddy

and local Legislator P Dwarakanath Reddy went to Eguva Regada village and consoled the family members of Sai Teja in the afternoon. They handed over the cheque of Rs 50 lakh, announced by the AP CM, to the family members and assured them that the state government will extend all the support to them.

Meanwhile, Sai Teja's body was first brought to the army base hospital at Bengaluru from Coimbatore on Saturday.

The soldier's body will be brought to his native village on Sunday morning and the last rites will be performed with military honours.

"Sai Teja's funeral will be held tomorrow morning. We asked the military authorities to keep Teja's body at the army base hospital and they agreed to it. His mortal remains would leave Bengaluru at 5am on Sunday and reach our village before 10am, following which the last rites will be performed", Teja's brother Mahesh Babu told reporters.