Jammu & Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Prof Nirmal Singh Sunday said victims of cross-border firing in the State would receive Rs5 lakh compensation in the form of fixed deposit as approved by the Centre in August 2016.
Reacting to the news report published in The Pioneer on May 14, the Deputy Chief Minister told this correspondent that funds have been released by the State Government to compensate these victims of cross-border firing as per the existing norms of the Central Assistance Scheme.
Commenting on the reasons behind delay caused in clearing these payments earlier Nirmal Singh said, “we could not do it because the Centre had not released funds to the State Government.”
He said, “I have been informed by the Divisional Commissioner Jammu that he had discussed the matter with the chief secretary and home secretary and they have agreed to release the money. He said soon the compensation amount would be handed over to the next of kin of cross border firing victims in the form of fixed deposit.”
The decision to enhance the Central assistance to the tune of Rs5 lakh was taken by the Union Cabinet headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in August 2016. Since then the cross-border firing victims entitled for the compensation were not given single penny.
A total number of 15 people have died so far across Jammu region in cross-border firing incidents after the compensation amount was enhanced by the Centre.
The district development commissioners could not process their cases as they were awaiting fresh guidelines and funds from the State Government. In the wake of fresh firing along the line of control three civilians have lost their lives in Rajouri district alone.
Deputy Commissioner, Rajouri, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary told The Pioneer Deputy CM Prof Nirmal Singh visited the families of cross-border firing victims in Nowshera on Sunday and took stock of the security situation and directed district authorities to ensure basic amenities are organised for border residents camping in the relief camps. Prof Singh also criticised Pakistan Army for targeting civilian areas and said the Centre has given free hand to the Army to give befitting reply to Pakistan.