Srinagar: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday increased the ex-gratia relief under Security Related Expenditure in case of death/disability/injury of civilians and government employees due to violence or any other form of civil commotion, an official spokesperson said.
He said this enhancement is over and above the Central Scheme for Assistance to civilian victims of terrorist violence under which Rs 5 lakh is paid for death and permanent disability.
“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 percent enhancement),” the spokesperson said.
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, he said.
“In case of death of ex-servicemen (Police), the ex-gratia has been increased by 200 percent from existing Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh,” he added.
The spokesperson said in case of permanent disability for ex-police personnel, ex-gratia has been enhanced from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 Lakh.
At present, in case of death of a Magistrate on duty, the existing ex-gratia is Rs 2 Lakh. This has been enhanced to Rs 5 Lakh by the LG, he said.
In case of permanent disability of a Magistrate while on duty, the ex-gratia would be Rs 1.5 Lakh, he added.
Under the SRE scheme, Sinha has also approved the ex-gratia for village defence guards, the official said.
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, he said.
“In case of death of a government employee while on duty due to violence, the ex-gratia has been increased by 500 percent and it has been enhanced to Rs 5 Lakh from existing Rs 1 Lakh,” he said. In case of permanent disability, the ex-gratia has been increased from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 Lakh.
The governor paid tributes to the people who made the supreme sacrifice in service to the nation. He said 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 misadventure. 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 holistic development of Jammu Kashmir Union territory,” Sinha said.
“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,” Sinha added.
Working on plan to seek Centre’s help to rehabilitate residents affected by Pak shelling: LG
Visits areas along LoC in Kupwara, interacts with victims, soldiers, local administration
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Saturday reviewed the security situation along the Line of Control (LoC) in Kupwara district.
In a post on X, Sinha said, “Reviewed security situation on the ground with Army and Police officials. Interacted with our brave Jawans in Tangdhar. They are standing tall, full of confidence and with determination to safeguard the territorial integrity of the nation.”
Sinha visited the border area in Tangdhar Sector and assessed the damage due to unprovoked heavy shelling by Pakistan.
He said the country is grateful to the armed forces for protecting the lives and ensuring the sanctity of our borders with alertness, dedication, bravery and supreme sacrifice.
“I am confident that our jawans will firmly deal with any misadventure by the enemy,” he added.
He said a comprehensive plan would be prepared to seek assistance from the Centre for the rehabilitation of residents affected by shelling.
“Many houses and commercial properties here have been damaged due to the shelling from the adversary. Today, I visited those places with senior administrative officers, saw the situation with my own eyes, and interacted with the people to understand their problems,” Sinha told reporters in the Tangdhar area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district.
He said the administration has done an assessment of the losses and immediate assistance has been provided to the people.
“Those who have not got assistance till now, will be provided today,” he added.
However, the LG said the assistance provided to the people was not sufficient and the UT government would seek more assistance from the Centre.
“Divisional Commissioner Kashmir and senior officers will prepare a comprehensive plan for the damage and based on that, we will request the Central government, and rehabilitate the affected people,” he said.