The Arvind Kejriwal Government is going to introduce bravery awards to be given on Independence Day and Republic every year.
Ten awards for children between the ages of six and eighteen includes a medal, a certificate, and a cash prize of Rs two lakh each.
Members of the public will have a right to send nominations for these awards but the final decision would be taken by the Delhi Government.
Top sources said Delhi Cabinet presided by Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal approved a proposal to this effect on Wednesday afternoon. The proposal was moved by Divisional Commissioner A Anbarasu before the Cabinet meeting.
This is the first time that Delhi Government has decided to introduce it bravery awards on regular basis.
Currently, Centre give five categories of bravery awards that include the Bharat Award (since 1987) , the Sanjay Chopra Award, (since 1978), the Geeta Chopra Award, (since 1978), the Bapu Gaidhani Award (since 1988) and general National Bravery Awards ( since 1957).
The national awards for bravery was started in 1957 by the Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW). The award was to recognise and honour children who performed outstanding deeds of bravery and selfless sacrifice.
The first award was given in 1957, when two children - a boy and a girl - were rewarded for their presence of mind and courage.
Since then the ICCW has conferred awards on children below the age of 16, every year. In addition, ICCW provides financial assistance under its Indira Gandhi scholarship scheme to those undertaking professional courses such as medical and engineering. For the others, this assistance is provided till they complete their graduation. The government has reserved some seats for the awardees in medical, engineering colleges and polytechnics.
The Cabinet has also given extension for a year to the Aam Aadmi Mohalla Clinics Pilot Project with effect from 22nd September onwards. Delhi Fire Service personnel will now be covered in the existing policy of providing Rs one crore compensation to the families of those personnel of uniformed services losing their lives in performing dangerous duties in the national capital.
The latest approval will make the families of personnel of Delhi Fire Service, Delhi Police, armed forces, paramilitary forces and other uniformed forces who lose their lives in the line of dangerous duty in Delhi, eligible for this compensation.
This compensation policy also covers the uniformed personnel killed on duty outside Delhi, but whose families reside in the national capital.
Delhi awards the highest compensation to the families of uniformed personnel who lose their lives while performing dangerous duties to safeguard the lives and properties of citizens.