Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh will distribute an additional compensation of `5 lakh each to the kin of those killed in 1984 anti-Sikh riots of Delhi. According to officials, 35-40 victim families will be given compensation to this effect.
Delhi Government is also going to ask Central Government to provide fund to give compensation to those families killed in 1984 riots in the national Capital. Of the 3,325 victims, as many as 2,733 were killed in Delhi alone, while the rest belonged to States like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.
Delhi Government had given compensation of `3.50 lakh to each family of 84 riots victims in 2005-06. Most of the victim families reside at Tilak Vihar in Tilak Nagar area. The families of victims are now demanding Government jobs for their children.
The Union Cabinet had approved an additional compensation of `5 lakh each for the kin of those killed in 1984 anti-Sikh riots. Though the Home Ministry had given its in-principle approval to the additional relief for 1984 riot victims in November itself, it realised later that a Cabinet approval was needed for the same. The BJP Government will try to capitalise this movement to woo young Sikh voters ahead of the upcoming Assembly polls. The 1984 anti-Sikh riots is the major issue of elections, whether it is lok Sabha elections or Assembly polls in Delhi.
The MHA Joint Secretary (Union Territories) BA Coutinho had earlier written a strongly-worded letter to Delhi Government for failing to implement the ‘Rehabilitation Package’ sanctioned by the Central Government to provide relief to the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots in the Capital.
As per the existing scheme, it would have a minimum lock-in period of three years, or if there are only minor children in the family, till the eldest child attains the agent of majority, whichever is later. The interest on the compensation is credited directly by the bank to the beneficiary’s saving account on a quarterly basis.
At the end of the lock-in period, the principal amount is transferred directly to the saving account of the beneficiary. In case the beneficiary dies or is permanently incapacitate, his or her next of kin gets to operate the account.
In case of permanent incapacitation, the victim himself becomes the beneficiary. He or she can declare a nominee to operate the account if not in a position to do so himself or herself. The beneficiaries must be identified by a district level committee headed by District Magistrate/Collector or Deputy Commissioner.