Enhanced compensation for 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims: Rs 4.5 cr provision made in 2021-22 Budget, says Govt
The Ministry of Minority Affairs told the Lok Sabha on Thursday that the Union government has come up with a rehabilitation package for the victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots.
In this file picture,family members of the victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots stage a protest at Jantar Mantar, in New Delhi | Photo Credit: PTI
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led BJP government at the Centre on Thursday told the Parliament that the Centre has made a provision of Rs 4.5 crore in the Union Budget for the enhanced compensation for 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims.
The Ministry of Minority Affairs said in the Lok Sabha that the Union government had earlier introduced a rehabilitation package to provide relief to victims of the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The scheme had contained ex-gratia payment of Rs 3.5 lakhs for each death case and Rs 1.25 lakhs in case of injuries.
"The scheme also contained a provision for the State governments to grant pension to widows and old aged parents of death victims at the uniform rate of Rs 2500/month, for whole life. The expenditure on payment of pension was to be borne by the State government," the ministry added.
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However, the compensation was enhanced in 2014 by the Modi government to Rs 5 lakh from earlier 3.5 lakh per deceased, who died during the '84 anti-Sikh riots.
"The Central government had in 2014 introduced a scheme for grant of enhanced relief of Rs 5 lakh per deceased, who died during the '84 anti-Sikh riots. "In Union Budget 2021-22, provision of Rs 4.5 cr made for payment of enhanced compensation to next of kin of deceased of '84 riots," it said.
"For payment of enhanced ex-gratia amount, the States/UTs would disburse the money from their own funds and Ministry of Home Affairs would reimburse the amount to the concerned State/UT Government on receipt of utilization certificate," the ministry added.
The riots had broken out after then prime minister Indira Gandhi was assassinated by her two Sikh bodyguards on 31 October 1984.