There is a process for ex-gratia and other amounts because if it is a battle casualty or physical casualty which is attributable, it is managed by the government and therefore it has to be established. That process of establishment follows certain guidelines,” Mr. Bhadauria said in an interview with Parami News.
Former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief R. K. S. Bhadauria talked about payment of ex-gratia to family of slain Agniveer soldier pointing out that this takes time as there are comprehensive guidelines which usually take about two to three months.
“The post-mortem report should come, all the incident reports, the court of inquiry, and the report from the police — these are the major elements. This process needs to be completed. It is no different in the case of a normal soldier or an Agniveer. It is the same,” he said.
Speaking about settling payments for a dead soldier’s nearest family members, he mentioned: “Normally it takes two to three months because there is an inquiry involved.” Defense personnel within unit take care of them according to him refuting claims about families not being told anything concerning compensation.
“They are always in touch with the family and they explain at length,” he said. “Every unit takes great care. They do everything possible to contact them through phone calls, sending text messages or even visiting their homes”. According to Mr. Bhadauria, such behavior may lead to some kind of “confusion” among those who suffered from such traumas.
“You must imagine a family that has gone through this trauma. There are a lot of people interacting and advising so it is [a sense] that gets confusion created,” he said. Mr.Bhadauria also revealed that upon death of his subordinate a considerable amount from insurance goes directly into account belonging to next-of-kin.
“Whenever such an incident happens and somebody loses life, in all cases – whether it is a battle casualty, physical casualty, attributable, or non-attributable – the insurance amount gets credited straightaway. In the case of a normal soldier, they have their policies. “They normally credit 50% straightaway within 24 or 48 hours, and then they meet the family and ask how they would like the rest, whether in their name or children’s name,” he said.
Mr. Bhadauria stressed that there is no confusion about the next of kin for the soldier, as they are clearly defined in advance. He also said that the deceased soldier’s family is provided with financial guidance. “The next of kin is clearly defined. There is no confusion. The money can only go to the account of the next of kin. There is a lot of financial guidance given to the family which many of soldiers’ families would need.” Insurance company through our officers and men also provides this,” he said.
“The Agnipath scheme is unique among insurance policies in that it covers everyone who is signed up to the scheme,” said the former air force chief. “This means that government of India pays the full insurance,” he added while briefing a news conference. This is not so with regular soldiers who contribute towards insurance by sacrificing some amount from their earnings every month through Indian system under AGNIPATH Scheme.
It’s not contributory for Agniveers. For instance, one sepoys get billed approximately ₹5000 per month which amounts to ₹60,000 annually and they are insured. The army has a contributory insurance scheme for its personnel in all 3 services, whereby sepoys pay roughly ₹5,000 and this translates into an annual amount of ₹60,000 after any kind of enrollment. A few terms might differ but usually sepoy’s insurance runs into about Rs.5-6 million.
That is not contributory. “They do not contribute as regards to Agniveers”. Speaking to Media persons today following the concerns over compensation for late Major Ajay Kumar’s family, Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria (retired) addressed on the issue.
What we know about Agnipath
The remaining amount will be disbursed once other requisite formalities are done. “Some compensation has already been paid out including RS 98 lakh by the army…” Availing an opportunity to talk exclusively with Parami News Senior Journalist, Former Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa clarifies matters surrounding this topic.
“I think there was recent controversy about financial aid or whatever payments have been made whether they have been made or not.” In a media statement released yesterday, Army officials announced that Rs 98.39 lakh had been given. There is also a DSP account in bank which ensures that money coming from Government of India (Rs 50 lakhs and Rs 48 lakh) also goes via the bank. This has already been cleared, the former Air Chief Marshal said in an exclusive interview with Parami News.
The ex-gratia will not be paid from Central welfare fund until that police report comes and it is found out that case is “battle casualty” attributable.
“You have to wait for all paper work to finish for final settlement of all account. One of the key things here is the police report. Based on that final thing…whether it is battle casualty attributable unless the attributability comes, the ex-gratia cannot be paid from the Central welfare fund. That is a complete fund,’ he stated.
“It’s done actually by Ministry of Defence who bases on police reports.” They are going to send their reports for example Jammu and Kashmir Police. I think those actions should have been completed. It was in the final stages as I knew last week, said Marshall Dhanoa.
According to Birender Singh Dhanoa, Agniveer Ajay Kumar’s family will get 67 lakh more while total emoluments for his next-of-kin will amount to ₹1.65 crore.
There will be some more money coming in. Such transfer shall originate from the Army central welfare fund’s ex gratia and his balance of payment for unserved period and Seva Nidhi package. So, ₹67 odd lakhs or more would further go. Thus the total emoluments to be received by his next-of-kin are around ₹1.65 crores. “These are the harsh realities,” he said. Agniveer Ajay Kumar was killed in a landmine blast near LOC (Line Of Control) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and Opposition parties were involved in a political slugfest over disagreement on financial compensation paid to Agniveer who died with confusion reigning supreme among them all.
