'No ex-gratia from the Centre or Army yet': kin of Agniveer martyr Ajay Singh

Deceased Agniveer Ajay Singh's family on July 4 said that they haven't received any ex gratia sum from the Centre or the Army, even after six months of their son's death, reported Indian Express.

The report further mentioned that Ajay Singh's father Charanjit Singh Kala, a labourer, said, "We have received ₹98 lakh from insurance cover claim. This includes a cheque for ₹48 lakh from the Army which is insurance cover, not ex gratia. Another ₹50 lakh has been received from a private bank which too is a claim of the insurance policy my son had. The Punjab government has given us a compensation of ₹1 crore. But the claim of Rajnath Singh that the Centre has given us ₹1 crore compensation is totally untrue. We haven’t received any ex gratia compensation from the Centre or the Army yet."

Army also shared a post on X, which mentioned that of the total amount of about ₹1.65 crore, the family has been paid ₹98.39 lakh. However, the Army admitted that the gratia payment was still pending.

"Of the total amount due, family has been already paid ₹98.39 lakh. Ex gratia and other benefits amounting to approx ₹67 lakh, as applicable according to provisions of Agniveer scheme, will be paid on final account settlement shortly post due police verification. The total amount will be ₹1.65 crore approximately."

A war of words between Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has been going on over the compensation paid to the family of Ajay Singh. In the recent Lok Sabha session, Gandhi alleged that Ajay Singh's family has not received any compensation from the Centre.

However, Rajnath Singh said that Gandhi's allegations are false as the government provides ₹1 crore compensation to families of Agniveers, who die in the line of duty.

Also watch: Indian Army fact-checks Rahul Gandhi's claim: 'Rs 98.83 lakh given to Agniveer martyr'