The decision of the BJP-PDP government to give ex-gratia to the families of the Army and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel belonging to J&K who attain martyrdom in the State or outside has been hailed by the Bharatiya Janata Party. So far the State government gave only 5 lakh as ex-gratia to the kin of only those Army and CAPF personnel who were state subjects and attained martyrdom in J&K only. The families of those martyrs from the State who attained martyrdom elsewhere in the country were neither given cash or job. After the Uri terror attack there was a great public sentiment to give ex-gratia to all martyrs’ families. “In keeping with the public sentiments and commitment of the Bharatiya Janata Party to look after the soldiers and veterans the Party leadership decided to raise the issue with the government and included the demand of giving ex-gratia to all martyrs’ families even if they were martyred outside the State as well as provision of job on compassionate grounds. The issue was forcefully raised and pursued by Dr.Nirmal Singh, Deputy Chief Minister, with the Chief Minister who is also the Home Minister,” according to Brig Anil Gupta, State Spokesperson of the Party.
Dr.Nirmal Singh successfully persuaded the Chief Minister after whose consent the government has agreed to give ex-gratia and job under SRO-43 to the next of kin on compassionate grounds to the families of all martyrs belonging to Army and CAPF hailing from the State who attain martyrdom anywhere in the country. The decision of the government will act as a great morale booster for all soldiers from J&K and their familieswho are serving in different parts of the country. Bharatiya Janata Party hopes and appeals to the government that these provisions be effective from retrospective effect. This act of the BJP-PDP government is a befitting reply to those who were trying to politicise the issue and casting aspersions on the government and our Party, summed up the Party Spokesperson.
