Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot meets war widows as stir by Pulwama counterparts simmers

JAIPUR: A delegation of war widows met chief minister Ashok Gehlot here on Saturday and extended their support to the state government's policy of giving jobs only to martyrs' widows or their children and not to other family members as demanded by some widows of Pulwama martyrs.
BJP MP Kirori Lal Meena had been protesting with three widows of Pulwama martyrs since February 28 demanding a change in rules so that their relatives, and not just the martyrs' wives or children, can get government jobs on compassionate grounds. On Friday, they were removed by police from the protest site outside Congress leader Sachin Pilot's residence here.
The widows who met the chief minister endorsing the government stand said giving jobs to relatives would jeopardise their financial security.
Gehlot said the honour of martyrs and their families are accorded the highest regard by the state government.
‘Protests are wrong, demands illegitimate’
“Dependents of the martyrs have been employed in government services as per rules. The rules will be followed in future too. No injustice will be done to the dependents of the martyrs,” the CM said.
Gehlot said the Kargil package was implemented for martyrs during his previous tenure.
Under the package, Rs 25 lakh for the families of martyrs, 25 bighas of land, accommodation from the housing board and an additional Rs 25 lakh for those not taking the accommodation, and jobs for war widows or their children are provided, he said.
“There is a provision of a fixed deposit of Rs 5 lakh for the parents of the martyrs. Provisions were also made to install statues of martyrs and to name a public place in memory of the martyrs, he said.
Gehlot said there should be no politicisation of matters related to martyrs. “There is no provision in therules to give a job to any other family member other than the widow or children. Diluting this provision will lead to undue family and social pressure on the widows in future,” he added.
The widows of the martyrs expressed satisfaction on the package being given by the state government. Martyr Havaldar Ramesh Kumar Dagar’s wife Kusum said the demand to give compensatory jobs to their brothers-in-law is not right. Krishna Jat, the wife of martyr Havaldar Shyam Sunder Jat, dubbed the protests as unjustified.