Enhancement of ex-gratia for martyrs’ kin

Jammu and Kashmir has been fighting terrorism for four decades, and the fight is still on. In the last forty years, what Jammu and Kashmir has suffered cannot be described in words. It is all due to the exemplary courage and bravery of our jawans, who have defeated this menace of terrorism with their sheer grit and determination. The colossal damage to all security agencies has been the most tragic part of this fight against terrorism. But all agencies have stood their ground like rocks, and terrorism is in its final stages in Kashmir. The whole nation is indebted to the supreme sacrifices of our soldiers. The Government is taking care of the families of our battle casualties, and every effort is being made to stand by them. But one thing that has pinched for a long period is the denial of ex-gratia relief to martyrs of the Central Armed Paramilitary Forces as equivalent to that provided to the martyrs of defence personnel. The forces include CRPF, ITBP, and many others. In reality, these are the front-line fighters in the fight against terrorism, performing their duties in hostile environments, both terrorism and weather. Special allowances have been available to serve in Jammu and Kashmir, but denial of equivalent ex-gratia relief doesn’t go well with the morale of these CAPF jawans. A historic decision has been taken by the administration granting equivalent relief and an increase from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 25 lakhs. Course correction has been made and justice has been done to the families of martyrs. It is a big moral relief. The disparity has been removed, as persons working under the same conditions and doing the same job are now on par, irrespective of the CAPF they belong to. Remedial measures have been taken, though late, but they are extremely important from the jawans’ point of view.