Finally, the State Cabinet has approved the compensation scheme for the victimized people. The scheme had been hanging fire for quite some time but now it has been accepted in principle. However on the suggestion of some Cabinet ministers, the scheme has been sent back to the Chief Secretary to reconsider increasing the amount of compensation. The scheme envisages compensating the victims or dependents who suffer loss or injury as a result of crime and who require rehabilitation. Various categories are included among such victims like loss of life, loss of life in police custody, death by torture, loss of limb or part of body, rape, acid victims or mental frustration etc.
It will be reminded that there is a directive from the Supreme Court and also from the Union Home Ministry that Victim Compensation Scheme had to be launched. The State Government did not pay full attention to it. There arose the question of submitting the compliance affidavit to the court that the scheme had been implemented. This necessitated the Cabinet to take up the issue and finally accept it in principle. The Chief Secretary will come back with proposal for revised amount of compensation for various debilities and the Cabinet will accord its sanction. This was a long delayed decision and whatever the reasons in the past, the Cabinet has finally accepted the scheme which will benefit the sufferers. The step is welcome.