Year on, Centre yet to respond to relief hike for firing range victims

Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

Tribune News Service

Jammu, February 10

The state Home Department has been awaiting a response to a proposal submitted by it to the Ministry of Defence a year ago for enhancing compensation package to people affected by field firing ranges across the state.

On February 27 last year, the Home Department had submitted the proposal to the Ministry of Defence and, on February 7 this year, Governor NN Vohra had requested Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar for enhanced compensation. 

Jammu Divisional Commissioner Pawan Kotwal said the rates of compensation being given to the affected population were fixed almost three decades ago.

“We have sent a proposal to the Centre suggesting enhanced rates relevant with the existing market rates. The affected people are getting paltry compensation,” he added.

He said that on the days of firing, the Army, well in advance, asks the people living close to ranges to stay indoors to remain safe and sometimes they have to be dislocated, which affects their livelihood. 

State Home Secretary RK Goyal said the Centre’s response to the proposal was still awaited. The Defence Ministry has been asked to give compensation at a par with the market rates.

On restrictions on movement and dislocation of local populace on days of firing, the Army has fixed Rs 8 (for the day) and Rs 12 (for the night) for males and females above 18 years. The Home Department has suggested hiking it to Rs 151 (for the day) and Rs 225 (for the night). 

The Home Department proposed Rs 2.50 lakh for deaths due to firing, Rs 2 lakh for 100 per cent disability, Rs 1.50 lakh for 50 per cent to 100 percent disability and Rs 1 lakh for disability below 50 per cent. 

The letter mentioned that to date the Army has not paid compensation or ex gratia for losses or injuries to human lives due to the firing practice.

A compensation for livestock of the villagers killed due to firing practice has also been proposed. The letter also suggested compensation for crop loss, a joint survey of which should be conducted by the Revenue authorities with the Army unit concerned.

The letter also contained objections of the people to renewal of firing ranges. The objections were based on displacement and restrictions imposed on movement of people on days of firing that affected their economic activities; deaths due to shells remaining unexploded and not cleared by the Army units after firing; damages to building and other structures due to tremors as a result of explosions; issues related to medical treatment of the injured and compensation for livestock and crop loss.

The “Agenda for Alliance” of the PDP-BJP government had also wanted that monetary remuneration should be made by the Army at market rates.