Haryana minister threatens to quit over compensation issue

Health and Sports Minister Vij was angry that Agriculture Minister OP Dhankar had tweeted in the afternoon that Rs.10 lakh would be given to those killed in the violence along with a government job to one family member.

Chandigarh: The Haryana government, under fire for its inept handling of the Jat agitation, faced a fresh crisis on Monday when senior minister Anil Vij threatened to resign after learning that the government may offer compensation to people killed in the violence.

Health and Sports Minister Vij, according to informed sources, was angry that Agriculture Minister O.P. Dhankar had tweeted in the afternoon that Rs.10 lakh would be given to those killed in the violence along with a government job to one family member.

The sources said Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar was trying to placate Vij, who is known for his outspoken views. Sixteen people have lost their lives in the nine-day agitation.

Vij argued that the Jat agitation seeking job quotas was still on and violence had not ended. He pointed out that most of those killed could be involved in rioting and they could not be compensated.

Dhankar, a Jat community minister who had not even attended the cabinet meeting, had tweeted: "Haryana government to help affected families in the agitation. Innocents killed will get Rs.10 lakh compensation and government job to be given. No one will be implicated in false cases."

Haryana witnessed largescale violence in the last nine days with rampaging mobs looting and setting shops on fire, burning government and private buildings and vehicles and clashing with security forces.