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In the midst of the ongoing controversy surrounding the compensation for Agniveer Ajay Kumar's family, former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief RKS Bhadauria has provided valuable insights into the process and timeline involved in settling ex-gratia payments.
In the midst of the ongoing controversy surrounding the compensation for Agniveer Ajay Kumar’s family, former Indian Air Force (IAF) chief RKS Bhadauria has provided valuable insights into the process and timeline involved in settling ex-gratia payments.
Bhadauria emphasized that the compensation process for Agniveers is no different from that of regular soldiers. He explained that the establishment of attributability, which involves a comprehensive review of the incident, including the post-mortem report, court of inquiry, and police reports, is a crucial step that typically takes two to three months to complete.
Addressing concerns about families being kept in the dark, Bhadauria stated that defense personnel in the unit take great care to stay in touch with the family and explain the process in detail. He acknowledged that the trauma experienced by the family might lead to a sense of confusion, as multiple people interact with them and provide advice.
Bhadauria also highlighted the insurance benefits available to Agniveers, noting that unlike regular soldiers, Agniveers do not need to contribute a portion of their salary towards the insurance scheme. Instead, the entire insurance amount is paid by the Government of India, providing an additional layer of financial security for the families.
Regarding the specific case of Agniveer Ajay Kumar, Bhadauria clarified that a significant portion of the compensation, amounting to Rs. 98.39 lakh, has already been disbursed. This includes the insurance payout from the Government of India, as well as the DSP account balance. He further stated that an additional Rs. 67 lakh will be transferred to the family, bringing the total emoluments to around Rs. 1.65 crore.
Bhadauria emphasized that the remaining ex-gratia payment from the Army’s central welfare fund is contingent on the completion of the police report and the determination of the incident as a “battle casualty” attributable to service. He assured that the necessary paperwork is in the final stages and should be completed soon.
The former IAF chief’s detailed explanation provides much-needed clarity on the compensation process for Agniveers, addressing the concerns raised and dispelling the confusion surrounding the timely disbursement of financial assistance to the families of fallen soldiers.
