ibn sultan
SRINAGAR: The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha, has approved an increase in ex-gratia relief under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme. The enhanced relief covers cases of death, disability, or injury to civilians and government employees due to violence or civil unrest. This amount is in addition to the central assistance of Rs 5 lakh provided to civilian victims of militancy violence.
For civilians who die due to such incidents, the ex-gratia has been raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh. In the case of permanent disability, it has been increased from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.
For ex-servicemen in the police force, the ex-gratia in case of death has been doubled from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 4 lakh. In case of permanent disability, the amount has been raised from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.
For Magistrates who die while on duty, the relief has been increased from Rs 2 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. In case of permanent disability while on duty, the relief will now be Rs 1.5 lakh.
Under the same scheme, the Lieutenant Governor has also approved ex-gratia for Village Defence Guards (VDGs). In the event of a VDG’s death, the amount has been raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2.5 lakh, and for permanent disability, it will be Rs 1.5 lakh.
In the case of a government employee’s death on duty due to violence, the ex-gratia has been raised from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh. For permanent disability, the relief has been increased from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh.
The Lieutenant Governor paid tribute to those who lost their lives in the line of duty.
He said India has faced cross-border terrorism for decades, but “Operation Sindoor” marks a shift from deterrence to direct action. He warned that Pakistan will face serious consequences for any future misadventure.
He added that the government is committed to the welfare of those involved in maintaining internal security. “It is my commitment to ensure that the next of kin of martyred citizens, ex-policemen, VDGs, and government employees live with comfort and dignity,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
