Delhi cabinet approves hike in ex-gratia amount

Kin of those killed in pogroms, terror attacks and bomb blasts will get Rs three lakh

Delhi cabinet approves hike in ex-gratia amount

Kin of those killed in pogroms, terror attacks and bomb blasts will get Rs three lakh

The Delhi government on Wednesday decided to increase the ex-gratia amount for victims of bomb blasts, communal riots, terrorist attacks, fires and accidents. The revision has come after four years.

Better deal: Victims of 1984 Sikh riots demonstrating for justice at
Jantar Mantar in New Delhi. File pic

The decision came during a cabinet meeting presided by Chief Minister, Sheila Dikshit. From now onwards, the family members of those killed in a bomb blast, communal riot, terrorist attack or any other riot will get Rs three lakh instead of the current Rs two lakh, officials said. In case of a minor, the amount will be Rs 1.5 lakh instead of existing Rs one lakh.

In case of permanent incapacitation, the ex-gratia has been enhanced to Rs 1.5 lakh from Rs one lakh while if a person suffers serious injuries, then he/she will get Rs one lakh instead of Rs 50,000. Those sustaining minor injuries will get Rs 10,000 instead of Rs 5,000. If a child is orphaned, he/she will get Rs one lakh. There was no provision for any compensation for orphaned children earlier.

In case of loss of life in fire or any other accident caused by individual or a natural calamity, then family members the victim will get an ex-gratia of Rs two lakh instead of current Rs one lakh.u00a0 If the victim is minor, then the ex-gratia amount will be Rs one lakh instead of current Rs 50,000. For those sustaining serious injuries, the compensation has been hiked to Rs 50,000 from Rs 20,000. In this category also, Rs one lakh will be given if child is orphaned.

In case of damage to residential units (other than slums) in riots, fire or any natural calamity, the owner of the house will get Rs 50,000 instead of existing compensation of Rs 20,000. If the damage is minor, then an ex-gratia of Rs 5,000 will be given instead of Rs 2,000.

In case of damage to uninsured commercial property in riots, fire or natural calamity, the compensation amount has been doubled. Earlier the ex-gratia amount was fixed at 50 percent of the loss not exceeding Rs 50,000. The cabinet has now increased the cap to Rs one lakh.

Reacting to the government announcement, senior counsel HS Phoolka, who is representing 1984 riots victim said, "Even after 27 years, 15 percent of the 1984 riots victim have not got the compensation. The ex gratia amount would only be helpful if given on time."

Phoolka said that in 1984 riot case, 10,000 affected families got compensation the same year. After that same number of people got the compensation in 1986. Then in 1996, as many asu00a0 2,500 people got compensation. In 2006 nearly six thousand families got compensation. Even then around 15 per cent of the victims are still waiting for it. " On a number of occasions, the amount was given only after the court ordered so," he said.
Another lawyer Vikas Gupta said, " The amount is still insufficient but if given on time, it will be helpful to the family."