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Title: Need to increase the amount of financial assistance to the families of civilians killed by naxalities in Orissa.
SHRI B. MAHTAB (CUTTACK): I would like to draw the attention of the House to a matter of urgent public importance.
It relates to the civilians who are being affected by naxalite movement and Maoist violence. It not only affects my State, Odisha, but very many States including West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and to a certain extent, Andhra Pradesh and Marathwada of Maharashtra are also affected. The personnel of Armed Forces and Police who get killed during action or lose their life when a mine is exploded get compensation or ex-gratia both by the respective State Governments and also by the Central Government. That amount is not much. But at the same time I would say that human lives cannot be compensated. It cannot be compensated by giving money or any other assistance. But my concern here is the civilians who are being killed. Civilians have recently been killed by such naxal activities.
Recently two incidents have occurred in the Malkangiri District of Odisha. Innocent civilians are being killed and their bodies are being thrown on the roads. It is only to create terror. To terrorise the people, naxalites and Maoists are indulging in this type of merciless killing.
I would urge upon the Government to take action on this matter. As the Ministers are present, I would expect a little degree of response from them. Otherwise, these words will be in thin air. I would only request that it should be looked into. When civilians are getting killed, respective State Governments are providing them sometimes Rs. 50,000 as ex-gratia. Some State Governments are providing Rs. 1 lakh. At times, the Central Government is also providing ex-gratia. So, the amount varies. It is not symmetrical. Throughout the country, respective State Governments, looking at the gravity of the incident, provide a certain amount of ex-gratia to civilians killed.
Two to three months back, a Sikh gentleman had taken upon himself that he will make Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna a success in the naxal affected area of Odisha. He went to that area. He was being provided adequate police support. But a mistake was committed by him. He went alone to a place where that road was being constructed. It was not a very big project for which this Sikh gentleman had gone there.
His family was living in the urban area. He ventured to go out in the morning. He was abducted and killed within two hours, before the State Government could react and talk to the abductors, who were Maoists. What type of compensation could be given by the State Government? What type of ex-gratia could have been given by the State Government to the family?
I would urge upon the Government that instead of providing Rs. 50,000 or Rs. 1 lakh or Rs. 2 lakh, let a uniform amount be shared both by the State Government and the Central Government, to be paid to the families of civilians who get killed in these areas. That can give proper support to the families who are there. Otherwise, they are leaving those places because of fear. At least Rs. 10 lakh can be provided so that their children and their family members can get that much of support and stay there and fight this menace.
I would be happy if the Government reacts to it and consider this suggestion.
MR. CHAIRMAN : Shri Mahtab, thank you. Whatever you have said is on record. So, the Government will react appropriately.
The House stands adjourned to meet tomorrow, the 10th November, 2010 at 11 a.m.
16.32 hrs The Lok Sabha then adjourned till Eleven of the Clock
on Wednesday, November 10, 2010/Kartika 19, 1932 (Saka)