JAMMU: Soon after the Union Cabinet decided to enhance the ex-gratia relief/compensation for cross-border firing victims to Rs 5 lakh, the state BJP leaders welcomed the announcement and also issued long statements. In reality more than four months after the decision was taken the next of kin of cross-border firing victims continue to receive a paltry sum of Rs 1 lakh ex-gratia relief/compensation for none of their faults.
After the historic decision was taken, at least 12 civilians across Jammu region became victims but the next of kin were simply handed over ex-gratia cheques of Rs 1 lakhs. They include five victims from Samba district, two each in Jammu and Rajouri besides three in Poonch.
Reason- the District Development Commission-
-ers, who release ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of the cross-border firing victims ,have been awaiting fresh guidelines from the Union Government to release the enhanced ex-gratia relief.
On Monday the Minister incharge state Home department informed the State Assembly that in the past two years 26 victims of cross border firing were handed over ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh per person in Jammu region.
Out of these 26 victims, 14 were killed in 2015 while 12 became victims of cross border firing in 2016.
Seven cross-border firing victims were residents of Jammu, 7 from Samba, 1 from Kathua, 2 from Rajouri and 9 from Poonch district.
Those killed after August 2016 were entitled to enhanced ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh but even their kin were handed over ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh per person.
“We are awaiting fresh guidelines to release the enhanced amount of ex-gratia”, a senior state government officer told STATE TIMES.
According to the written statement submitted by the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, ” A sum of Rs 26 lakh was paid to these victims while Rs 6.70 lakh was distributed to 134 injured civilians and a sum of Rs 42. 35 lakhs was distributed for damaged structures affected by the cross border shelling”.
The Minister-in charge Home Department also informed the Assembly that a proposal to construct 20125 community bunkers at a total cost of Rs 1006.25 crores was sent for approval to the Union Home Ministry. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs have approved construction of 60 bunkers @ Rs 5 lakh per bunker. An amount of Rs 300 lakhs was released out of which 176.87 lakhs were utilised till December 2016, the reply stated.