Fresh proposals mooted by Gadchiroli police for kin of martyrs

NAGPUR: Two fresh proposals to help families of martyrs have been sent to the state government by the Gadchiroli police after the May 1 Maoist violence , which claimed the lives of 15 Quick Response Team (QRT). The proposals add more value to the existing comprehensive compensatory scheme for martyrs. At present, heirs and kin of martyrs are eligible for a compensatory monetary package of Rs1.08 crore, apart from some other benefits.

In the latest proposal, Gadchiroli police have urged the government to modify the existing rules for availing employment on compassionate grounds, apart from the monetary package to kin.

The modifications suggested include giving jobs to kin in the same district as where the martyr belonged. At present, employment on compassionate ground is available only in the district where the martyred served. Another modification suggested by Gadchiroli police is making the placement available as per the educational qualification of the kin eligible for employment.

Gadchiroli SP Shailesh Balkawade, who pushed to modify the compensatory employment, said interacting with martyrs’ family members after the latest incident sparked the idea of changing things. “We felt family members of the martyrs who stayed at far off places like Beed district would be hassled if offered a job in Gadchiroli. Similarly, it would also be right to offer jobs as per the educational qualification of the deserving candidate and not otherwise,” he said.

“During our scrutiny this time, we found some eligible kin of martyrs were qualified enough for jobs at higher posts. Though such provisions existed in the past, the policy was frozen over time,” he said. Balkawade said the government was positive about the proposal.

In 2015, widow of C-60 commando Hemlata Parsa had got a job as block education officer after the death of her husband at Laheri encounter in 2009. The then SPs Suvez Haque and Sandip Patil had helped Hemlata get selected through the Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC).

In the latest incident of May 1 at Lendhari nullah, several jawans of the QRT belonged to different districts like Bhandara, Buldhana, Hingoli and also Nagpur district, apart from Beed and Gadchiroli.

Balkawade also put to rest speculation about the monetary package for martyrs, saying the government would extend the entire Rs1.08 crore to eligible heirs without compromising on any of the components, including insurance . “We are at present helping the eligible heirs get their relevant and necessary documents ready to claim the compensation packages. Many did not have PAN card, which police department is now helping them to process. Our teams are visiting homes of martyrs, whether in Beed or Buldhana, to ensure documents are ready to claim the money,” said the SP.

“Already around Rs68 lakh have come to the headquarters and every family was given Rs1 lakh initially. Rest of the amount would be disbursed soon,” he said.