AAP government to give Rs 1 crore each to kin of 20 martyrs

NEW DELHI: Family members of 20 martyrs from Delhi Police, the Delhi Fire Service and BSF will soon get Rs 1 crore each in compensation - a move that, the government says, will boost the morale of people in uniform who risk their lives in service.

The government has compiled a list of 20 such bravehearts for the purpose.

During his Independence Day speech, chief minister Arvind Kejriwal had said: "The martyrdom of the soldiers is invaluable. The country will always remain indebted to them. Three years ago, we brought in a scheme to pay Rs 1 crore in compensation to the kin of the soldiers, but the plan was obstructed (by LG). We have again taken the decision. One person from among their relatives will also be given job (sic)."

On July 25, the Delhi cabinet had given its approval to a proposal for granting an ex gratia of Rs 1 crore to the kin of the personnel dying in the line of duty. The scheme, which was introduced on April 1, 2015, and revised twice in February and September 2016, was put on hold by the lieutenant governor. It is now being implemented with retrospective effect from April 2015.

"The list contains names of three martyrs from the Delhi Fire Service, two from the Border Security Force and others from Delhi Police. The report will soon be forwarded to a high-powered committee of three ministers, headed by deputy chief minister Manish Sisodia. The committee will take the final decision," a source in the government said.

The compensation amount will be directly transferred into bank accounts of the recipients. According to an official, the amount will either be divided among parents (Rs 40 lakh) and wife (Rs 60 lakh) or given entirely to the parents/spouse/nominee depending on the status of the martyr. Before the scheme was stopped, the family of a police constable was given Rs 1 crore in 2013 and some other martyrs' families were also compensated.

The government also approved the provision of giving employment to next of the kin of the deceased in a Group C-D post in Delhi government, as per their educational qualification, provided they had not been offered employment by any other organisation. "The process for the employment of those eligible under the government will also be initiated according to the scheme approved by the cabinet," a source said.