HC ASKS CENTRE TO COMPENSATE 2002 RIOT VICTIMS

The Gujarat High Court on September 23 asked the Centre to make arrangement for payment of ex-gratia assistance for damage to residential properties of 752 riot victims of 2002 as also uninsured commercial and industrial properties. The government has also been asked to report the progress on the matter by September 27. The order was given recently on a petition by the Jan Vikas Kendra, seeking compensation for the victims who had not been extended any assistance either by the state or the Central government. The court also asked the Centre as to what steps had been taken for giving employment to the children or family members of those killed in the riots. The HC directed the state to take a decision with regard to compassionate appointment of the dependents of the victims in the state services or state public sector undertakings in terms of policy decisions taken by the Central government in this regard. Though the Centre has so far released Rs 333.99 crore for compensation in death, injury as also for damage to residential properties, it did not make any payment to the victims with regard to the uninsured commercial and industrial properties. According to details submitted by the petitioners, a total of Rs 85.75 crore would be required to compensate these victims.