In a touching gesture, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh [Images] asked Army authorities on Sunday to waive formalities to enable the sister of an Army martyr to get the pensionary dues of her brother killed in anti-militancy operations in Jammu and Kashmir [Images].

Dr Singh made the gesture as an unemployed Yashi Choten, sister of the late Sepoy Ngawang Tenzing of 15 Assam Regiment, narrated her financial woes to him during a reception hosted by the Army Chief Gen JJ Singh at Army House on occasion of the Army Day.

As per the rules, unmarried Tenzing's pensionary and gallantry benefits would have been retained by the Army as only his parents, both of whom are no more, would have been entitled to them.

Dr Singh gave immediate instructions to Army authorities to see if a waiver could be made as a special case and benefits given to Choten, who has no means of livelihood.

President A P J Abdul Kalam, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also directed the authorities to explore avenues to allocate the wife of late Major Lalit Kumar of the Mahar Regiment, who also died during anti-terrorism actions in J&K, a teaching job in Haryana.

Both the soldiers were among five armed forces personnel who were awarded the Sena Medal for exceptional gallantry in daring exploits against militants in J&K.