Bhartesh Singh Thakur
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 11
Considered the sword arm of the nation, Punjab offers one of the lowest ex gratia to martyrs. It pays Rs 12 lakh to those killed in anti-insurgency operations, while Himachal Pradesh gives Rs 20 lakh, Haryana Rs 50 lakh and Delhi Rs 1 crore. But now, the state government is considering a proposal to enhance the amount to Rs 1 crore.
At present, the Punjab Government pays Rs 5 lakh ex gratia while Rs 5 lakh is given towards having a house and Rs 2 lakh goes to the martyr’s parents. Now, it has been proposed that if the martyr is married then his wife will get Rs 75 lakh while Rs 25 lakh will be paid to his parents. In case he is unmarried, Rs 75 lakh will be paid.
In 2019, 11 soldiers from Punjab died in action and in 2018 there were 10. The Punjab Government provides monetary help to disabled soldiers but that is also lesser than what is given by Haryana and Delhi. It gives Rs 4 lakh to soldiers who are 75% disabled, while Haryana is paying Rs 35 lakh and Delhi gives Rs 10 lakh. There is a proposal to enhance it to Rs 60 lakh now.
The soldiers with 51% to 100% disability are getting Rs 2 lakh from Punjab while Haryana pays Rs 25 lakh and Delhi gives Rs 6 lakh. It may now be hiked to Rs 40 lakh.
The soldiers with disability between 25 % and 50 % are getting Rs 1 lakh from the Punjab Government while Haryana pays Rs 15 lakh and Delhi gives Rs 6 lakh. Punjab is likely to raise it to Rs 20 lakh.
As per file noting, Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh wanted the ex gratia to be on the lines of the Haryana Government in October 2018.
The state came up with the proposal to enhance the amount in October last year, but the financially starved state is yet to take action to implement it.
Gurkirat Kirpal Singh, Secretary, Defence Services Welfare, and Special Secretary to Punjab CM, said: “Let me look into the issue. The proposal is yet to be taken up.”
Brig Harwant Singh (retd), president of All India Defence Brotherhood, said: “It is a sad state of affairs. It (ex gratia) is one of the lowest despite the fact that Punjab CM is an Army veteran. It is discouraging for those who are looking forward to joining the military.”
Col BS Rangi (retd), president, Ex-Servicemen Movement North, which is a part of the Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement (IESM), said: “Punjab should wake up. It is a border state. The ex gratia should be on par with other states.”