Haryana enhances ex-gratia for kin of armed forces from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh

Chandigarh: Haryana government has enhanced the ex-gratia grant given to the family members of the armed forces personnel, who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty, from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh.

The personnel include those from Army, Navy and Air Force who die in harness in performance of their bonafide official duties, including serving in war or operation, in operational area, terrorist or militant attacks or border skirmishes and United Nations peace keeping mission.

The revised ex-gratia for casualties in war, IED blast and action against militants or terrorists or border skirmishes occurring on or after March 24, 2016 has been enhanced from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, an official spokesman said today.

Similarly, in case of death declared as battle casualty, by defence authorities irrespective of any operation or any specified area of operation, defence forces personnel posted in United Nations Peace Keeping Force and accidents like air crash, M T accident, accident at sea, heart attack and loss of life during natural calamities, the ex-gratia relief has been enhanced from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, the spokesman said.

He said the enhanced grant is applicable to personnel who were residents of Haryana at the time of joining or entry into the service and were martyred on or after March 2016.

It is not on retrospective basis and the previous cases would not be reopened, he said.

The ex-gratia grant can be claimed within three years of the casualty. The amount would be paid from Haryana Chief Minister's War Heroes Relief Fund, he added.