KOCHI:The State Government on Monday submitted before the Kerala High Court that it has allotted Rs 25 lakh for the victim compensation scheme.
The State made the submission in response to a petition filed by High Court lawyer D Anil Kumar, seeking a directive to the State Government to release the funds earmarked for giving compensation to victims of crime to the Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KELSA).
No Amount for
Disbursement
The petitioner submitted that though the scheme for giving compensation to victims of crime was formulated by the government last year, no amount has been made available with the Legal Services Authority for disbursement to the victims.
Though claims have been received by the Legal Services Authority it was not in a position to process the same for lack of funds.
In a statement, J R Geetha, Under Secretary, Home Department, pointed out that the objective of the scheme was to provide funds for the purpose of giving compensation to the victim or his/her dependents who have suffered loss or injury as a result of the crime, and who requires rehabilitation. The government had formulated the Kerala Victim Compensation Scheme on February 24, 2014.
The details of the categories for which compensation is to be provided and the amount are enlisted in the government order, apart from the procedures for applying for compensation.
The State submitted that the Kerala State Legal Services Authority had been entrusted with the disbursement of compensation, and the fund shall be operated by its member secretary.
“The Kerala State Legal Services Authority has been requested to furnish the necessary proposals with details of the applications received/amount required for disbursement of compensation,” the State submitted.