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Kejriwal demands Rs 1 cr compensation for Uri attack victims

Last Updated 27 September 2016, 17:04 IST
Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal today criticised the Centre's "inaction" against the perpetrators of the Uri terror attack and appealed to the Prime Minister to announce a compensation of Rs one crore each for the families of the slain soldiers.

He said the compensation policy for the families of soldiers residing in Delhi should be replicated by the Centre and implemented across the country, beginning with the victims of the recent terror strike at Jammu and Kashmir's Uri.

"There is rage and gloom across the country over the Uri attack. It is understandable when our enemy neighbour attacks us. But, are we that weak so as to keep quiet after every such attack?

"I am not saying there should be a war as it is not the solution. There are 100 other ways to give a befitting reply (to Pakistan). The silence pains me and it would be a betrayal with the freedom fighters if we do nothing," Kejriwal said.

The AAP supremo was addressing the gathering at the 110th birth anniversary celebrations of Bhagat Singh, organised by the Delhi government at Talkatora Stadium here. Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia and Labour Minister Gopal Rai were also present on the occasion.

"Del Govt gives Rs 1 cr "samman rashi" to family of any soldier who is resident of Del n who dies in any operation. Today, on Bhagat Singh's birth anniversary, I urge PM to announce this scheme 4 all soldiers 4 whole country n make a beginning wid Uri (sic)," Kejriwal later wrote on Twitter.

Positioning the AAP as the "sole champion of the poor and the marginalised", Kejriwal alleged that the other parties show "fake concern" for them before the election, only to work for the "well-being of the Ambanis and the Adanis" later.

"The AAP is the only party that has been working for the poor and focusing on improving the condition of the government schools that were systematically damaged to keep the poor in their state of misery," he claimed.

The AAP supremo also touched upon the alleged stabbing incident of a teacher at a government school in Nangloi, saying teachers were "no less than soldiers". The Delhi government today announced a compensation of Rs one crore for the family members of Mukesh Kumar, who was allegedly stabbed to death by two of his students.

Kejriwal promised to hike the minimum wages in the city "by double", notwithstanding the "spanners being put by Lt Governor Najeeb Jung". "The committee, re-constituted as per the LG's recommendations, will come up with similar proposals of doubling the minimum wages as the first one had done," he said.

The chief minister also announced the formation of 'Shaheed Bhagat Singh Foundation' by his government which, he said, will conduct "research work on the ideas espoused by the leaders of the freedom movement".

Kejriwal also launched a web portal -- shaheedkosh.delhi.gov.in -- to prepare a database of freedom fighters and martyrs from all over the country. Referring to Bhagat Singh's relatives in the audience, the chief minister said, "We have the family of Bhagat Singh amid us. Abhitej belonged to this family. He was equally fearless. He died in an accident. Now, there is no clarity as to whether it was an accident or not." Bhagat Singh's grandnephew Abhitej Singh died in a road accident in Himachal Pradesh in May this year.
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(Published 27 September 2016, 17:03 IST)

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