Rs 50 lakh compensation disbursed to Gadchiroli martyrs' widows in 20 days, additional 42 lakh under process

MUMBAI: The families of 15 police personnel who were martyred in the Naxalite attack in Gadchiroli have swiftly received Rs 50.5 lakh each in compensation. Another Rs 42 lakh is under process. Many of the young widows are in their twenties with small children.
Shailesh Balkawade, superintendent of police Gadchiroli said, "We expedited the process to award compensation. Of Rs 50.5 lakh, Rs 20 lakh compensation was disbursed under the SRE (security related expenditure) head while Rs 20.5 lakh was paid under special insurance cover.Another personal accident insurance payout of Rs 10 lakh taken by the DG's (director general) office was distributed by Oriental Insurance within 15 days."
Balkawade said an additional ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh and Rs 22.5 lakh for a house will be released once they get their legal heir certificate. "We have helped them file applications for this certificate in court," he said.
The police force has taken care to secure the future of the bereaved. Balkawade said, "Whatever we may do, we cannot compensate for the loss of a loved family member. But we can lessen the financial burden. The next of kin will receive the martyr's salary till his retirement was due at age 58. In fact the salary for May has already been credited into their bank account. The widow will be granted a job on compassionate grounds. Moreover, the police department will take care of the children's education expenses until graduation."
The horrific massacre even shook the courage of insurance personnel who deal with death on a routine basis. Ajit Kumar, general manager of Oriental Insurance, said from New Delhi, "In a very quick action we settled their personal accident claims within 15 days of reporting of claim. All 15 claims amounting to a sum total of Rs 1.5 crore were approved on May 23, immediately as we received the requisite papers." Oriental has insured each jawan of Maharashtra Police for Rs 10 lakh.
Over in the villages, the young widows are trying to cope with life after loss. Reshma Rahate (28) of village Taroda in Arni taluka, Yavatmal, points her little daughters aged five and two to the photograph of their father Agraman (34) whenever they miss him. "They are too small to understand death but they feel something is amiss," she says. Reshma has studied till class twelve and has received a job offer from the police.
Likewise Anjum Shaikh (24) of Beed whose husband Tauseef Arif was martyred. Like Reshma, her children are aged five and two. "My sons' welfare is uppermost to me. I will complete my BA while I work in the police force," she said.