Finally, Rs 5 lakh relief for ’84 riot victims

Updated At : 01:11 AM Dec 13, 2014 IST

A file photo of anti-Sikh riot victims holding a protest.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 11

The Central Government finally cleared an additional compensation of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday.

The decision was first made known to the media on October 30, which reported it extensively. A week later the Central government, when asked by the Election Commission of India, said no decision had been taken to give an additional compensation to each of the families of the persons killed in the anti-Sikh riots.

After media reported the news on October 30, the ECI shot off a notice to the MHA saying this was in violation to the Model Code Conduct which was in force in Delhi in view of the bye-elections to the Delhi Legislative Assembly for three constituencies, namely Mehrauli, Tughlakabad and Krishna Nagar.

The MHA, in its response, has told the ECI “… no decision in regard to the matter (additional compensation to Sikh families) has been taken so far”. The about-turn was criticised by Sikh groups and various MPs sought clarifications from the Home Ministry.

Wednesday’s decision of the Cabinet means the compensation to be given to the families of the riot victims will be apart from what they have received from the government and other agencies.

Some 3,325 victims of the 1984 violence, triggered by the assassination of the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, are likely to benefit from the government’s announcement.

The move comes less than a month before the Assembly polls are expected to be announced in Delhi. Though the home ministry had denied any "decision" on the compensation, the EC had in November, insisted that its lack of denial of the media reports regarding the additional compensation led to "an unmistakable impression that the decision had been taken".

It said the announcement should have been avoided. The EC has pointed out to the MHA if the news reports were wrong why they were not denied, especially after such wide media coverage.

In other words, the EC hinted that the MHA used the media to give the impression of additional compensation for Sikh families.

On October 30, the MHA held a meeting. A press note was then issued saying, “The Union Home Minister approves grant of higher compensation to victims of riots, Naxal and terrorist violence”.

It further said, “Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal to substantially enhance the compensation to civilian victims of communal, terrorist or Naxal violence from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 5 lakh”.

Finally, Rs 5 lakh relief for ’84 riot victims

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