<p>P Ananth Rao and P Jayalakshmi, who are nearing their 80s, were handed over a cheque for Rs 33.82 lakh as ‘compensation’ amount by Forest Minister Vijayshankar in Bangalore City.<br /><br />Rao and Jayalakshmi were in no mood to react. All Rao had to say was: “We thank the Government for whatever they have given us, but I feel his absence,” A 1979 batch Indian Forest Service officer, Srinivas, according to his parents and sister Rajalakshmi was soft spoken, but had a great will to achieve something society termed impossible. <br />“He used to always tell us that Veerappan should be arrested and given an opportunity to reform, but he was always wary about his cruelty,” said his parents.<br /><br />“He used to narrate Veerappan’s cruelty - the way he killed people and disposed the bodies in river Cauvery. Despite this, he used to say that if Veerappan is captured alive, we can understand him better and reform him,” recalled Rajalakshmi. <br /><br />The parents said the day Srinivas was killed by the forest brigand, November 10,1991, they could not believe it till they read it in the newspapers. Rao said the ‘Keerthi Chakra,’ awarded posthumously to Srinivas for his bravery is proof of his achievements. <br /><br />“In killing Veerappan, Vijay Kumar, (the then Additional Director-General of Police) has buried the truth. My son wanted to catch Veerappan alive,” he said. The State Government has arrived at a sum of over Rs 33 lakh based on Srinivas’ last salary drawn of Rs 4,075 on November 10, 1991. According to the department, the revisions of salaries dated January 1, 1996, April 1, 2004 and January 1, 2006 has been calculated to arrive at the compensation amount. <br /><br />Also included in the sum of Rs 33 lakh is dearness allowance revisions on November 11, 1991 and December 31, 2009. Srinivas was due for retirement on August 31, 2011. <br /><br />Rajalakshmi said the bureaucratic hurdles and litigation by Srinivas’ ex- wife delayed in getting money from the government. <br /><br />BDA site<br /><br />As the couple have no site, the State Government has allotted a BDA site to Rao and Jayalkshmi, at Nagadevanahalli (Jnanabharathi I Block). <br /><br />The possession certificate was presented along with the cheque. The couple has plans to settle in the City. The Forest Minister said that all forest department personnel who lay down their lives for public good will be honoured like warriors as it is done in Police department and Army. <br /><br />“This department is a family. Those who die while at work will be cremated with full honours. At least in this way the department can repay their debts,” he said.<br /><br />Timeline<br /><br />* P Srinivas was IFS officer of 1979 batch<br />* Killed on November 10, 1991<br />* Awarded Keerthi Chakra posthumously<br />* Due for retirement on August 31, 2011</p>
<p>P Ananth Rao and P Jayalakshmi, who are nearing their 80s, were handed over a cheque for Rs 33.82 lakh as ‘compensation’ amount by Forest Minister Vijayshankar in Bangalore City.<br /><br />Rao and Jayalakshmi were in no mood to react. All Rao had to say was: “We thank the Government for whatever they have given us, but I feel his absence,” A 1979 batch Indian Forest Service officer, Srinivas, according to his parents and sister Rajalakshmi was soft spoken, but had a great will to achieve something society termed impossible. <br />“He used to always tell us that Veerappan should be arrested and given an opportunity to reform, but he was always wary about his cruelty,” said his parents.<br /><br />“He used to narrate Veerappan’s cruelty - the way he killed people and disposed the bodies in river Cauvery. Despite this, he used to say that if Veerappan is captured alive, we can understand him better and reform him,” recalled Rajalakshmi. <br /><br />The parents said the day Srinivas was killed by the forest brigand, November 10,1991, they could not believe it till they read it in the newspapers. Rao said the ‘Keerthi Chakra,’ awarded posthumously to Srinivas for his bravery is proof of his achievements. <br /><br />“In killing Veerappan, Vijay Kumar, (the then Additional Director-General of Police) has buried the truth. My son wanted to catch Veerappan alive,” he said. The State Government has arrived at a sum of over Rs 33 lakh based on Srinivas’ last salary drawn of Rs 4,075 on November 10, 1991. According to the department, the revisions of salaries dated January 1, 1996, April 1, 2004 and January 1, 2006 has been calculated to arrive at the compensation amount. <br /><br />Also included in the sum of Rs 33 lakh is dearness allowance revisions on November 11, 1991 and December 31, 2009. Srinivas was due for retirement on August 31, 2011. <br /><br />Rajalakshmi said the bureaucratic hurdles and litigation by Srinivas’ ex- wife delayed in getting money from the government. <br /><br />BDA site<br /><br />As the couple have no site, the State Government has allotted a BDA site to Rao and Jayalkshmi, at Nagadevanahalli (Jnanabharathi I Block). <br /><br />The possession certificate was presented along with the cheque. The couple has plans to settle in the City. The Forest Minister said that all forest department personnel who lay down their lives for public good will be honoured like warriors as it is done in Police department and Army. <br /><br />“This department is a family. Those who die while at work will be cremated with full honours. At least in this way the department can repay their debts,” he said.<br /><br />Timeline<br /><br />* P Srinivas was IFS officer of 1979 batch<br />* Killed on November 10, 1991<br />* Awarded Keerthi Chakra posthumously<br />* Due for retirement on August 31, 2011</p>
