In a major announcement for the families of the policemen killed in violence or militancy-related incidents in the state, the next of kin of a police martyr will now get Rs 70-lakh ex gratia on the pattern of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
This followed an order of the Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) issued today wherein it enhanced its share of ex gratia to Rs 30 lakh. The remaining share is being paid by the state.
“(The) Ministry of Home Affairs enhances its share of ex-gratia relief payable to NoKs (next of kin) of JK Police martyrs to Rs 30 lakh. NoKs of a JK Police martyr will get Rs 70 lakh,” the J&K Police tweeted this evening.
The MHA order said: “Considering the long-pending demand for enhancement of ex gratia and to make it (equal) to the relief being given to the CAPF in cases of death occurring in the course of performing duties attributable to act of violence by terrorists, anti-social elements, the matter has been considered in the Ministry and it has been decided to enhance the share of ex gratia in the state from the police welfare fund, MHA as well as the security-related expenditure (relief and rehabilitation).”
The order said the MHA would make a payment of Rs 7 lakh in place of Rs 3 lakh to the next of kin of each J&K Police personnel from the police welfare fund.
“The MHA will also make a payment of Rs 5 lakh in place of 2 lakh to the NoK of J&K Police personnel/SPOs as well as NoKs of CAPFs or Army posted in J&K. The expenditure is debitable under the security-related expenditure (relief and rehabilitation). The existing terms and conditions/guidelines for grant of ex gratia from the security-related expenditure of Rs 5 lakh in place of Rs 2 lakh would continue,” the order stated.
Official sources said the MHA had a reimbursement of Rs 1,185 crore to the J&K Government under the security-related expenditure during the financial year 2016-17 which was just Rs 330 crore in 2015-16.
In an RTI disclosure, the MHA had, in April this year, said that about 5,000 security personnel were killed in militancy-related operations launched by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 27 years (from the year 1990 to March 31, 2017), while a total of 14,000 civilians had lost their lives during the period.
5,000 security men killed in 27 years
In an RTI disclosure, the MHA had, in April this year, said that about 5,000 security personnel were killed in militancy-related operations launched by security forces in Jammu and Kashmir during the past 27 years (from the year 1990 to March 31, 2017), while a total of 14,000 civilians had lost their lives during the period