1984 riot victims:Kejiwal to distribute enhanced compensation

New Delhi, Oct 30: Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal will distribute enhanced compensation cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the kin of 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims, as announced by the Centre, in West Delhi's Tilak Vihar area on Sunday, Nov 1.

According to a senior official, there are around 2,600 families of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims.

Government has estimated expenditure of around Rs 130 crore on compensation. In October last year, a hike in compensation to Rs five lakh had been announced by the central government, five months after the BJP had formed its government at the Centre.

"The Chief Minister will distribute enhanced compensation cheques to kin of 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims on November 1. All families of the riot victims will be given enhanced compensation cheques within two or three days begnining from Sunday," the official said.

The Official also said that Centre will later refund the compensation amount to the Delhi Government as it was their scheme.

In August this year, the Delhi Cabinet had decided to distribute enhanced compensation cheques as announced by the central government to the kin of the 1984 anti-Sikh riot victims.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh had, in December last year, distributed enhanced compensation cheques of Rs 5 lakh each to the 17 kin of riot victims in West Delhi's Tilak Vihar area.

So far, around 143 kin of victims of the anti-Sikh riots have been disbursed enhanced compensation cheques and around 2,300 were yet to be given, sources said.

"Kin of several riot victims have not received enhanced compensation cheques so far. In view of this, state government will distribute compensation to them and later, central government will reimburse the compensation amount to the city government," the official added.

PTI