Question : VICTIMS OF RIOTS

(a) whether the Government has announced a compensation package for the victims of 2002 Gujarat riots;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the guidelines for the disbursement of the said package;

(c) whether the Government proposes similar compensations to the victims of riots in other States;

(d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise;

(e) whether the Government has obtained the list of victims of riots from various States;

(f) if so, the details thereof and the action proposed to be taken by the Government thereon;

(g) whether the Government proposes to deal with such issues in the proposed Communal Harmony Bill; and

(h) if so, the reasons for announcing package only to victims of Gujarat riots?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)

(a)&(b): The Central Government has announced a package for relief and rehabilitation of the victims of communal riots of 2002 in Gujarat. The details of the package are as under:

(i) In the case of death, an ex-gratia assistance of Rs. 3.5 lakh would be paid in addition to the assistance already paid by the State Government.

(ii) In case of injury, an ex-gratia assistance of Rs. 1.25 lakh would be paid minus the assistance given by the State Government.

(iii) For damage of residential property and uninsured commercial/ industrial property an ex-gratia of 10 times the amount given by State Government less amount already paid.

As per the decisions of Government, a suitable mechanism is to be evolved to implement the above package payable along the lines of 1984 anti Sikh riot package.

(c): No, Sir.

(d): Does not arise.

(e): No, Sir.

(f): Does not arise.

(g): Yes, Sir. The Bill aims to provide compensation to victims.

(h): The above package has been announced, inter alia, in the light of the findings in the Report of National Commission for Minorities in October 2006.