CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Cabinet today approved a policy under which families of poll personnel, killed in violence during panchayat or municipal election duty, will be given an ex-gratia of Rs 20 lakh each.
The policy would also cover security personnel, drivers, cleaners, contractual or outsourced staff.
In case of death caused due to violent acts of extremists or anti-social elements like bomb blasts or armed attacks, the compensation amount would be Rs 20 lakh, a Haryana government spokesperson said.
In other cases of of death of polling personnel in the course of performance of election duties, the deceased's family will be given an ex-gratia compensation of Rs 10 lakh, he said.
If there is permanent incapacitation due to an injury sustained during poll duty, a compensation of Rs 5 lakh would be given, the Cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, decided.
However, in case of permanent incapacitation due to violence, the amount of compensation would be Rs 10 lakh, according to the spokesperson.
He said the decision was taken on the basis of Election Commission of India (ECI) instructions dated April 25, 2014.
The spokesperson clarified that there would be no cap on the amount of compensation from other sources such as the Chief Minister's Relief Fund or the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.
The norms would become applicable as soon as the official leaves his or her residence or office to report for any election related duty, including training, and until he or she returns after performing the duty, the spokesperson said.