Victims of ceasefire violations by Pakistan may soon get Rs 5 lakh compensation from the Central government over and above what the state government already pays. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sent a note in this regard to Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) and recommended compensation of Rs 5 lakh to next of kin of those who die in such cross-border firing incidents or suffer “permanent incapacitation”.

“The note recommends amending the ‘Central Scheme for Assistance to Civilian Victims of Terrorist, Communal and Naxal Violence’ to include cross border firing from Pakistan. Following this a compensation of Rs 5 lakh would be paid to such victims,” said a senior MHA official.

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Sources said the decision in this regard was taken following a series of prolonged ceasefire violations from Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir in the past few years. Scores of civilians lost their lives in these unprovoked firing incidents.

“The view of the government is that escalation or deescalation of tension on the border is at times a result of decisions that the Centre takes. Pakistan often reacts to India’s diplomatic moves… Also, last year when India retaliated strongly to firing from Pakistan, the cross-border firing continued for long leading to significant civilian casualties on both sides of the border,” said another home ministry official.
Apart from this, the government is also engaged in discussions over a comprehensive policy to ensure safety of civilians during ceasefire violations. A plan to put in place fortified bunkers near all border villages is also being discussed.

According to the compensation scheme, those permanently incapacitated, and the members of the family of the victims killed or permanently incapacitated in cross border firing will also be given a health card by the district health society, functioning under the National Rural Health Mission. This card will entitle them to free medical treatment in case of injuries and all other major illnesses caused due to violence.

Medical care will also be provided to the beneficiaries of the scheme as a special case under the ongoing schemes of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare like the Rashtriya Arogya Nidhi and the National Trauma Care Project.

The FD account will carry a minimum lock-in period of three years. But if there are only minor children in the family, the lock-in will extend till the eldest child attains the age of maturity.