Ex-gratia cash relief is sanctioned in favour of those who have suffered casualties or loss of property moveable as well as immoveable owing to firing and shelling across the border, be it LoC or IB. Ex-gratia relief is also provided to the kiths of those killed in accidental or intentional firing on the border. There are other facilities provided for the border dwellers if they are forced by enemy firing to flee their villages and seek shelter at a safer place. Expenditure on this count is met by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the recommendation of the State Government.
Incidents of border firing are increasing and the fatalities caused by it besides loss of cattle, crops and other agricultural products. The State Government has been seriously concerned about this situation developing for some years in the past. The ex-gratia amount paid to the victims, under different heads and in different categories has been found inadequate. As such the State Government has very rightly submitted a fresh plan to the Home Ministry in which it has suggested enhanced amount of ex-gratia relief.
We appreciate that the State Government has taken cognizance of the suffering of the border dwellers and made proposals for enhance ex-gratia relief. We know that in RS Pora, Samba, Poonch, Rajouri and other border areas there has been recurring firing and shelling from Pakistani side since some time in the past which has caused dislocation of border population. The education of their kids suffers because the schools and hamlets are targeted. Cattle wealth is lost and crops are destroyed. All this makes the case very strong for enhancement of ex-gratia relief to the victims.
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