STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) arising out of contempt petitions regarding less compensation to the security personnel who sacrifice their lives in terrorist attacks, a Division Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court Comprising Chief Justice N. Kotiswar Singh and Justice Sanjeev Kumar has directed respondents to inform this Court as to when orders passed by this Court in different writ petitions, will be complied with and additional amount of Rs.1.00 lakh will be paid to the legal heirs of the deceased persons.
The record shows that the official respondents have relied on SRO No.199 dated 4th of July, 2008, so far as the award of compensation to such deceased civilian is concerned. With regard to the defence personnel who belong to the States, reference has been made to Cabinet Decision No. 85/11 dated 8th of July,1999 enhancing the award of ex gratia from Rs 2.00 lakhs to Rs 5.00 lakhs.
It is worthwhile to mention here that counsel has submitted that so far as the other States are concerned, with respect to security personnel who are killed in the State of Jammu and Kashmir in terrorism actions, the award ranges from Rs 15.00 to Rs 25.00 lakhs, while compensation award of Rs 50.00 lakhs is accorded by the State of Haryana. It is contended that the award in this State is hopelessly deficient. Therefore, this issue needs to be revisited appropriately by the State Government and considered view taken.
There can be no denial that parity deserves to be maintained so far as the award of compensation in similarly circumstanced cases is concerned.