Assam to give jobs to martyrs' kin

The Assam government is considering a new law to provide jobs to family members of those who sacrifice their lives in the line of duty.

Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has issued directives to bring in a legislation to provide suitable jobs to the next of kin of police personnel who are killed while on duty. 

This was disclosed by Forest Minister Rockybul Hussain in the State Assembly on the second day of the budget session stating that formulation of a new law had become necessary in view of a Supreme Court verdict that the death of a government employee in harness did not entitle the family to claim compassionate employment and the person seeking appointment must possess eligibility for the post.

The apex court’s verdict, delivered last year, said a competent authority has to examine the financial condition of the family of the deceased employee. If it is satisfied that without providing employment the family will not be able to meet the crisis, then a person having the requisite qualifications will be given a job.

Hussain, a spokesperson for the state government, made his statement after former health and education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma accused the government of double standards in giving a job to the wife of Gulzar Hussain, a young Assam police officer killed in an ambush by militants in Sonitpur district in January.