Telangana CM calls on Colonel Babu’s family, hands over Rs 5 crore ex gratia

HYDERABAD: Chief minister K Chandrasekhar Rao on Monday handed over a cheque for Rs 4 crore to Santoshi, wife of 38-year-old Colonel Bikumalla Santosh Babu who was martyred in a stand-off between the Indian Army and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley on June 15. Out of the ex gratia amount of Rs 5 crore that he had announced to the family on behalf of the state government, KCR gave a cheque for Rs 1 crore to Upendar and Manjula, parents of Col Santosh Babu.
In addition to the ex gratia amount, a residential plot of 711 sq yards in Banjara Hills was also allotted to Santoshi who was given the land documents for the property by the chief minister. KCR also explained to her about the Group-1 job being given to her and handed over the letter to her in the presence of chief secretary Somesh Kumar. The Group-1 job entitles her to a deputy collector-rank post.
The chief minister, who travelled by road to Suryapet town, spent half an hour with the family at their residence in Vidyanagar. He paid homage to the memory of Col Santosh Babu by placing flowers at a photograph put up at the home and also signed on a painting of the martyr. He also interacted with Col Santosh Babu’s children.
Authorities closed all shops on the main road from Suryapet bus stand to Shankar Vilas Centre in view of the CM’s visit as a security measure. No movement of people was also allowed into Vidyanagar area and the place was barricaded. The family of Col Santosh Babu were provided masks and hand gloves by the health authorities and the place was also sanitised in view of the prevailing Covid-19 situation.
Chief secretary Somesh Kumar, energy minister Guntakandla Jagadish Reddy, roads and building minister V Prashanth Reddy were among the small group that accompanied the CM to the house of Col Santosh Kumar and conveyed their condolences to the family.