Ex Gratia Compensation Not Received by Deceased Agniveer’s Family in Ludhiana

In a dramatic turn of events, the family of deceased Agniveer Ajay Singh (23) from Ramgarh Sardaran village in the Payal sub-division of Ludhiana district, expressed their frustration over not receiving any ex gratia compensation from the Centre or the Army, even six months after their son’s death. The family had to chase away electronic media reporters, accusing them of harassment.

Ajay Singh, who tragically lost his life in a landmine blast in the Rajouri sector of Jammu & Kashmir in January, was part of the Agniveer scheme initiated by the BJP-led central government. This scheme has been a subject of controversy, with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticizing it as a “use and throw” policy that discriminates between permanent soldiers and temporary recruits like Agniveers.

Local Congress leader Smit Singh visited the family and supported Gandhi’s claim in the Lok Sabha that the family had not received any compensation from the Centre. According to Smit Singh, the family only received insurance cover amounts, not the ex gratia payment promised by the government.

A heated exchange has been ongoing between Rahul Gandhi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh regarding the compensation. Rajnath Singh asserted that the government provides Rs 1 crore to families of Agniveers who die in the line of duty, a claim refuted by Ajay Singh’s father, Charanjit Singh Kala. He stated that they received Rs 98 lakh from insurance claims and Rs 1 crore from the Punjab government, but no ex gratia payment from the Centre.

The Indian Army, in a statement on social media platform X, acknowledged the delay in ex gratia payment but confirmed that the family had received Rs 98.39 lakh so far. They assured that the remaining amount, approximately Rs 67 lakh, would be paid after due police verification, bringing the total to around Rs 1.65 crore.

The emotional father, Charanjit Singh Kala, expressed his grief, stating, “Return our son. We won’t ask for any money. We don’t need any money if the government can return our son.”

Smit Singh emphasized his commitment to supporting the family, as directed by Rahul Gandhi, to ensure all their needs are met. A video showing the family’s confrontation with media reporters has gone viral on social media.

Summary:

• Incident: Family of deceased Agniveer Ajay Singh claims no ex gratia compensation received from Centre or Army.
• Background: Ajay Singh died in a landmine blast in Jammu & Kashmir in January.
• Controversy: Rahul Gandhi criticized the Agniveer scheme and claimed no compensation was given; Rajnath Singh refuted this.
• Current Status: Family received Rs 98 lakh from insurance and Rs 1 crore from Punjab government; no ex gratia from Centre yet.
• Army’s Statement: Confirmed Rs 98.39 lakh paid, remaining Rs 67 lakh pending after police verification.
• Emotional Appeal: Father expressed desire to have his son back over any monetary compensation.
• Political Involvement: Local Congress leader Smit Singh supporting the family as per Rahul Gandhi’s directive.
• Media Incident: Family accused electronic media reporters of harassment; video went viral.