On August 25, 2016 the Union Cabinet had taken a ‘historic’ decision of enhancing ex-gratia relief/compensation for victims of cross border firing to Rs 5 lakh. The Cabinet meeting chaired by PM Narendra Modi gave its approval to enhance the compensation under the ‘Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims of Terrorist, Communal, left Wing Extremist (lWE), Cross Border Firing and Mine or Improvised Explosive Devices blasts on Indian Territory’ from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. However, nine months had passed but the district development commissioners who release ex-gratia payment to the next of kin of the cross border firing victims have been awaiting release of funds from the Centre to release the enhanced ex-gratia relief. Soon after the Union Cabinet had given its nod to the proposal of Union Home Ministry to enhance the ex-gratia amount for cross border firing victims, the State BJP leaders issued statements welcoming the announcement. However, now the long delay in implementing the decision is adversely affecting the morale of the border residents.
In the last two years 26 victims of cross border firing were handed over ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh per person in Jammu region. Out of these 26 victims 14 were killed in 2015 while 12 became victims of crossborder firing in 2016. Seven cross border firing victims were residents of Jammu, 7 from Samba, 1 from Kathua, 2 from Rajouri and 9 from Poonch district. Those killed after August 2016 were entitled to enhanced relief of Rs 5 lakh but even these cross border firing victims were handed over ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh per person. Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Shahid Choudhary told The Pioneer, “So far we have not received funds from the Centre. After funds are made available to us we will process their compensation claims and hand over the relief cheques.”