J&K approves revises ex-gratia structure for CAPF personnel, civilians

The Jammu and Kashmir administration has announced a revised ex-gratia relief structure for Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel, police, magistrates, civilians and others, according to an order issued on Wednesday.

Lt Governor Manoj Sinha has approved Rs 25 lakh as ex-gratia relief for the family of any domicile CAPF personnel who dies during a law and order disturbance, whether within or outside the Union Territory. Families of non-domicile CAPF personnel who lose their lives in law and order situations in J&K will receive Rs 5 lakh.

The order further states that domicile defence forces personnel who die in law and order–related incidents will also be entitled to Rs 25 lakh, while non-domicile personnel will receive Rs 5 lakh.

The government has also fixed compensation amounts for the families of magistrates, police personnel, Special Police Officers (SPOs) and ex-servicemen. In case of death, families of magistrates and ex-servicemen will receive Rs 2 lakh, while the kin of police personnel and SPOs will receive Rs 5 lakh.

For disability, magistrates and police personnel will be granted Rs 75,000 for permanent disability and Rs 10,000 for partial disability. The same disability compensation applies to CAPF personnel.

For government employees other than police personnel, ex-gratia relief in case of death has been set at Rs 1 lakh, while Rs 75,000 will be provided for permanent disability. An amount of Rs 5,000 will be given in cases of serious injury requiring hospitalisation.

The government has also announced Rs 1 lakh as ex-gratia relief in the event of the death of civilians, surrendered militants, and militants turned informers.

In cases of damage to immovable property due to bomb blasts, sabotage, or shelling along the International Border or the Line of Control, relief will be capped at 50% of the loss or Rs 1 lakh, whichever is less.

Reacting to the announcement, former Jammu and Kashmir Director General of Police Shesh Paul Vaid termed the decision “welcome and long overdue,” but questioned the disparity in compensation.

“Every step that supports the families of our martyrs deserves appreciation. However, why the disparity—Rs 25 lakh for local CAPF and defence personnel but only Rs 5 lakh for police/SPOs and Rs 1 lakh for civilians? Sacrifice doesn’t become smaller because of someone’s background. A life is a life,” Vaid wrote on X.