STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Expressing dismay over the BJP-PDP Government’s denial of ex-gratia to the families of martyrs, Harsh Dev Singh JKNPP Chairman and former Minister has lambasted the incumbent government for showing disrespect to the brave-hearts who laid down their lives for the flag and honour of the nation. He regretted that while all other states of the country had announced ex-gratia to the NOKs of martyrs, the saffron flavoured Government of J and K was the only exception to the general rule. He pointed out that while the Samajwadi Party Government in Uttar Pradesh had announced ex-gratia of Rs. 20 lakhs for Uri Martyrs, JDU-RJD Government in Bihar had announced Rs.11 lakhs for Uri Martyrs; Congress Government in Haryana paid Rs. 35 lakhs to Handwara Martyrs in 2013; Congress Govt. in H.P paid Rs. 20 lakhs to Pathankot Martyrs, SP Government in U.P paid Rs. 20 lakhs to Manipur Martyrs of 2015, the BJP Ministers of the State contrarily had shamelessly stated that the J and K Government did not have any policy to give ex-gratia to martyrs families. Who is to frame the policy in case one does not exist, questioned Singh to the said BJP Ministers?
Flaying the BJP for its contemptuous utterances that it was raising money from its party sources for payment of Rs. 5 lakhs each to the families of martyrs, Singh said that the NOKs of martyrs deserved ex-gratia on merits and as a matter of right and not as charity. He said that the families of martyrs were seeking acknowledgment of their acts of valour and sacrifice for their motherland by the State and Central governments and not as a charitable offering by a political party to play politics. Reminding the BJP of all its jingoistic rhetoric with all its jangle and rattle created in the Assembly over killing of soldiers and non-payment of ex-gratia to such martyrs, Singh lamented that the same party had relegated the issues of such national heroes to back burner after coming to power and categorically ruling out ex-gratia to NOKs of martyrs almost all of whom belonged to Jammu region.
Rebuking the saffron flavoured government for dishonour to martyrs, Singh said that the BJP was answerable to the nation for depriving the families of martyrs in the matter of ex-gratia, while paying honorarium and rehabilitation funds to surrendered militants, incurring security expenditure worth hundreds of crores on separatists and anti nationals, compensation to families of deceased stone pelters of Kashmir besides doubling of salaries of ministers and MLAs all from state exchequer. He said that if the government could frame a policy for monthly honorarium to surrendered militants, then what prevented it from formulating a policy for ex-gratia to martyrs and national heroes. He said that government needed to further explain the retrospective enhancement of salary of ministers and MLAs from 8th July, the date on which Burhan Wani was killed, and whether it intends to observe the said date as a special day to glorify the slain terrorist.
