SRINAGAR: J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has increased ex-gratia relief under Security Related Expenditure (SRE) amid demand to increase compensation to those affected by the Pakistani shelling in border areas of Jammu and Kashmir after “Operation Sindoor”.
The ex-gratia relief was increased in respect of death, disability, injury of civilians and government employees due to violence or any other form of civil commotion.
“This enhancement is over and above the Central Scheme for Assistance to civilian victims of terrorist violence under which Rs 5 lakhs are paid for death and permanent disability,” an official spokesman said.
In case of the death of a civilian, the ex gratia has been increased from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh, which is a two-and-a-half-fold increase (250% enhancement).
In case of permanent disability due to violence or civil commotion, the ex gratia has been enhanced from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.
In case of the death of ex-servicemen (police), the ex-gratia has been increased by 200%, from the existing Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. In case of permanent disability for ex-police personnel, ex gratia has been increased from Rs 75,000 to Rs. 1.5 lakh.
At present, in case of the death of a magistrate on duty, the existing ex gratia is Rs 2 lakh. This has been enhanced to Rs 5 Lakh by the Lieutenant Governor. In case of permanent disability of a Magistrate while on duty, the ex gratia would be Rs 1.5 Lakh.
Under the SRE scheme, the Lieutenant Governor has also approved the ex gratia for village defence guards.
In case of death of VDGs, the ex gratia has been enhanced from Rs 1 lakh to Rs. 2.5 lakh and in case of permanent disability, the ex gratia would be Rs 1.5 lakh.
In case of death of a government employee while on duty due to violence, the ex gratia has been increased by 500% and it has been enhanced to Rs 5 lakh from the existing Rs 1 lakh.
In case of permanent disability, the ex gratia has been increased from Rs. 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.
The Lieutenant Governor paid tributes to the people who made the supreme sacrifice in service to the nation.
“India has been subjected to cross-border terrorism for many decades, but 'Operation Sindoor' has drawn a new red line, marking a shift from deterrence to direct action. Pakistan will have to pay a very heavy price for any future misadventures,” he said.
"Our response will be visible and forceful. At the same time, we are focusing on the well-being of the people playing a highly effective role in ensuring internal security and the holistic development of the Jammu and Kashmir Union territory. It is my commitment to ensure that the NoKs of martyred citizens, ex policemen, VDGs and Government employees live a life of comfort and dignity,” the Lieutenant Governor added.
In the Pakistani troops' shelling in border areas in J&K, 17 civilians have been killed – 13 in Poonch, 3 in Rajouri and 1 in Uri. Besides, many houses and structures have been damaged in the cross-border shelling.