Relief for martyrs’ parents too
Tribune News Service

FEROZEPORE, Dec 16 — In a significant move, the Punjab Government has decided to compensate the parents of war heroes separately, following complaints of war widows deserting their in-laws after being compensated.

Earlier, the state government offered Rs five lakh for a residential plot and Rs 2 lakh as ex-gratia for the bereaved families.

In view of the complaints widowed daughter-in-laws deserting the martyrs parents to remarry, the state government has decided to set apart an additional Rs two lakh for martyrs parents.

Disclosing this is an interview with TNS, here this afternoon, the Minister of State for Sainik Welfare, Mr Janmeja Singh Sekhon said a high-powered committee of the state war hero fund had given its approval for the proposal on Wednesday.

To a question whether the ruling, Akali Dal is considering taking up with the Centre, the issue of denial of Param Veer Chakras to Sikh soldiers, who had died in the Kargil war, the minister said his party had gone deep into the matter, but found no malice on the part of the military authorities.

Gallantry awards are given on the basis of field reports sent by commanding officers of various military units.

On the SAD demand for fixing a quota for Sikhs in the armed forced, Mr Sekhon said his party has not put up the issue in the backburner.

Asked about development work in the local cantonment — the assembly segment he represents — that military authorities discourage fresh constructions, Mr Sekhon said, “we are working on a plan under which localities where civilians are staying be notified as civilian areas.

The minister was here in connection with the foundation stone laying ceremony of a hall at Gurdwara Saragarh.