Former J-K DGP S P Vaid has raised serious questions over the “discriminatory” ex gratia announced by the Lt Governor for domicile soldiers, Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) personnel, J&K Policemen and civilians losing their lives in law and order disturbances.
According to the government notification issued Wednesday evening, the families of local Army and CAPF personnel who die in the line of duty within the J&K UT or outside will receive Rs.25 lakh, while the kin of policemen and SPOs will get only Rs.5 lakh.
Families of non-domicile soldiers and CAPF personnel will get Rs.5 lakhs, whereas the ex-gratia for civilians has been fixed at Rs.1 lakh under the security related expenditure (SRE).
The ex-gratia for magistrates has been fixed at Rs.2 lakhs.
Tagging the disparity as unjust, Vaid posted on X: “Why the disparity — Rs.25 lakh for local CAPF & defence personnel, but only Rs.5 lakh for police/SPOs and Rs.1L for civilians? Sacrifice doesn’t become smaller because of someone’s background. A life is a life.”
“The new ex-gratia announcement is welcome and long overdue. Every step that supports the families of our martyrs deserves appreciation”, Vaid added.
Former DGP’s remarks have reignited a debate on parity, recognition and dignity for all who die in the line of duty in J&K.
The government has also announced an ex-gratia of Rs.1 lakh for the surrendered terrorists and terrorists turned informers.
As per the order, the ex-gratia for the NoK of ex-servicemen killed in the law and order related duties under the SRE has been fixed as Rs 2 lakh.
For cases where magistrates, police personnel, or ex-servicemen suffer permanent disability, the Jammu and Kashmir Government will pay an assistance of Rs 75,000, while Rs 10,000 will be paid for partial disability, the order said.
The order further stated that for CAPFs, the J&K Government will grant an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh to NoK of the non-domicile personnel attaining martyrdom in J&K.
Similarly, the UT Government will pay Rs 1 lakh for the death of the Government employee, Rs 75,000 for the permanent disability, Rs 5,000 for serious injury i.e. hospitalisation for more than 24 hours, Rs 1,000 for injury requiring hospitalisation of less than 24 hours and Rs 500 for minor injury when the Government employee is discharged after first aid.
For the death of a civilian, the ex-gratia amount has been set at Rs 1 lakh, including the deaths occurring on the International Border or LoC. A same compensation will be paid to the families of the surrendered militants and militants turned informers on their death.
For major damage, the maximum relief has been set at Rs 10 lakh—including Rs 7 lakh for immovable property and Rs 3 lakh for moveable assets.
Damage due to cross-border shelling along the IB or LoC will also be compensated at 50% of the loss or Rs 1 lakh, whichever is less.