Haryana hikes ex gratia amount for martyrs' family to Rs 50 lakh

Gurgaon: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday increased the ex-gratia, from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 50 lakh, given to the family of an armed forces personnel who lays down his life for the country.

Ex-gratia is paid to members of the families of Armed Forces personnel who die in harness in the performance of bona fide official duties while serving in operational areas, war, terrorist or militant attack, border skirmishes and United Nation Peace Keeping Force etc, an official release said here.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the concluding function of the three-day 'Bharat Kesari Kushti Dangal' organized on the occasion of 'Shaheedi Divas' in Gurgaon, today.

The Chief Minister also said that Sainik Shiksha Kendra' over 10 acres of land would be opened in Panchkula and third Sainik School would be started in the village of Chhuchhakwas in Jhajjar district.

He paid rich tributes to martyrs Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev, in whose memory the Dangal was organized.

Members of the familes of Bhagat Singh and Chandra Shekhar Azad were also present on the occasion.

On the occasion, Khattar also administered the oath of 'Haryana Ek-Haryanvi Ek' to all those present at the concluding function of the 3-day 'Dangal' in Gurgaon today.

The oath administered by Khattar read, "Maine Haryana Mein Janam Liya Hai Aur Main Haryana Pradesh Ke Liye Kartavyanishtha Samarpit Rahunga. Main Shapath Leta Hun Ki Har Gali, Har Mohalle Aur Shehar Mein Yeh Sandesh Ko Pahunchaunga Ki Sadbhav Souhadr Aur Majboot Ho." (I am born in Haryana and will remain dedicated in discharging my duties for the State. I take oath to spread the message in every street and city that harmony must be stronger).