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Martyr's widow? But when did he die?
WSN Network

CHANDIGARH: A widow of a Punjabi non-commissioned officer in the Indian Army who died fighting in Sri Lanka when Rajiv Gandhi had sent IPKF there as one of his hair-brained ideas has now got the royal rewards: a sewing machine and a free bus travel pass for herself. Beyond this, she cannot even call her husband a martyr.

He died between 1971 and 1999, and anyone in the Army who died in action in that period is not a martyr. At least those are what the rules say.

So, Balbir Kaur, the widow of Naik Prem Chand of 16 Sikh Regiment who was killed by LTTE militants in Sri Lanka during Operation Pawan, is still awaiting compensation from the Punjab government.

Post 1999, she could have been eligible for an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh and a plot or Rs 5 lakh in lieu of that, but who cares?

The families of Punjab soldiers who died in battle between 1971 and 1999 are not entitled to land or ex-gratia. As per rules, the ex gratia is applicable to battle casualties after January 1, 1999, as per the Punjab government policy letter dated June 26, 1999.

Little is being done to accord martyr status to all war heroes.

24 December 2008
 

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