Cabinet approves compensation for 1984 anti-Sikh riots victims - Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet has approved an additional compensation of Rs 5 lakh each for the kin of those killed in 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The move comes less than a month before assembly polls are expected to be announced in Delhi, home to a majority of Sikhs killed in the violence that followed the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi on October 31, 1984.

"The proposal for a fresh Rs 5-lakh compensation to around 3,325 affected Sikh families was a tabled item at the Cabinet meeting. It has been approved," a senior government functionary told TOI soon after the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Of the 3,325 victims, as many as 2,733 were killed in Delhi alone, while the rest belonged to states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Though the home ministry had given its in-principle approval to the additional relief for 1984 riot victims in November itself, it realised later that a Cabinet approval was needed for the same. The home ministry's decision then was never announced as the bypolls to three Delhi assembly seats had been called by then. However, after media reports, the EC issued a notice to home ministry citing a "prima facie" model code violation.

Though the home ministry had denied any "decision" on the compensation, EC insisted that its lack of denial of media reports regarding the additional compensation led to "an unmistakable impression that the decision had been taken" . It said the announcement had the effect of disturbing the level when the poll code was in force and should have been avoided.

Of the 3,325 victims, as many as 2,733 were killed in Delhi alone, while the rest belonged to states like Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra.

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