DIMAPUR, JUNE 6 (MExN): With regard to the unfortunate demise of three IRB personnel who died during the election duty in India, the Rising People’s Party has reminded and urged the state government to release ex-gratia payments within 10 days after the counting process.
Citing Election Commission of India (ECI) directive, the RPP stated in a press release that ex-gratia payment amounting to Rs 15 lakh per deceased personnel/polling officers etc., should be paid on or before June 14 by the state government. The same amount would be reimbursed by the central government at a later date and no expense is to be borne by the state government.
The ECI directive also specifically mentions that the state government is free to make its own ex-gratia payment from the state exchequer, it further said while adding, whether the NDPP-BJP coalition will make its own ex-gratia payments - apart from the compulsory payment of Rs 15 lakhs per personnel, remains to be seen.
Apart from the urgency to make the payments on or before June 14, the RPP also urged the state government to give gainful employment to the relatives of the deceased.
The RPP, meanwhile, questioned the NDPP-BJP coalition as to why there has been no public response to the fact that TA/DA of Rs 1500 was reduced to Rs 550 knowing the fact that “our police personnel were going to be operating in a very hostile environment for several months in sweltering heat in India.” The state government owes an appropriate answer to our brave jawans, it stated.
