Compensation for kin of cops killed in Naxal attacks stuck in red-tape

Shiv Kumar
Tribune News Service
Mumbai, May 26

Compensation for the relatives of the 15 commandos who lost their lives in the Naxalite attack at Gadchiroli on May 1 has been delayed as the Maharashtra Government failed to renew the group insurance cover for security personnel active in areas affected by left-wing extremism.

According to officials here, kin of police personnel who lose their lives in action in Naxal-affected areas are eligible for a compensation of Rs 20 lakh each under the group insurance policy taken from the public sector Oriental Insurance company. Premium for this policy is deducted from the salaries of the personnel, according to a source.

The policies were however not renewed as senior officials of the police department were reviewing the need for such a policy.

“The process was stuck in red-tape and the file was stuck at Mantralaya,” says a senior IPS officer.

Following the May 1 attack, the Maharashtra Government has asked senior police officials to pay the premium on the policies so that they are renewed as soon as possible.

Sources say Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has ordered officials to pay the compensation that would have accrued to the kin of the deceased personnel under the policies from the state’s coffers.

The next of kin of personnel who lose their lives in fighting red insurgency receive a compensation of about Rs 1.08 crore, including ex-gratia payments and grants from the state and centre.

So far the government has arranged funds for only about Rs 60 lakh each for the kin of these jawans, according to officials.

“Disbursement of the funds is taking time as the process of verification is in progress. There are also problems with documentation like errors in PAN and Aadhar cards,” says an official.

For the first time the Maharashtra Government has also decided to provide jobs to one member of the deceased’s family in his or her home town on compassionate grounds, according to officials.