Agniveer’s father says received Rs 98 lakh from Army, wants martyr status for son

NEW DELHI, JULY 5 : The father of Ajay Kumar, the Agniveer who was killed in action earlier this year, has now said that he received Rs 98 lakh as compensation. This comes a day after a video, shared by Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, showed him saying that he didn’t receive any compensation from the Indian Army or the central government.

On Wednesday, Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi shared a video on social media, accusing Defence Minister Rajnath Singh of lying about the Rs 98 lakh compensation paid to Ajay Kumar’s family.

The video shows Rahul Gandhi meeting Ajay Kumar’s family, who claim they did not get any monetary help from the central government. Further in the video, Charanjit Singh is heard saying, “Rajnath Singh said that we have received Rs 1 crore… We haven’t received any money so far… Rahul Gandhi is raising our voice in Parliament… Families of martyrs should get all the help and the Agnipath scheme should be stopped.”

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However, speaking to India Today TV, Chaaranjit Singh admitted that he has received Rs 98 lakh so far as compensation from the Army.

“Firstly, we received an amount of Rs 50 lakh from insurance and later, from the Army we got Rs 48 lakh. So far, we have received Rs 98 lakh, and we are sure that the pending Rs 67 lakh will also be sent to us soon by the Army,” he said.

Charanjit Singh’s admission comes after the Indian Army released a statement rebutting claims that Ajay Kumar’s family was not paid the compensation amount. “Certain posts on social media have brought out that compensation hasn’t been paid to the next of kin of Agniveer Ajay Kumar who lost his life in the line of duty… Of the total amount due, the family of Agniveer Ajay has already been paid Rs 98.39 lakh,” the Army statement read.

“Ex-gratia and other benefits amounting to approximately Rs 67 lakh, as applicable according to the provisions of the Agniveer Scheme, will be paid on final account settlement shortly post due police verification. The total amount will be Rs 1.65 crore approximately,” it added.

FATHER SAYS COMPENSATION NOT AN ISSUE

However, Charanjit Singh claimed that monetary compensation was never an issue.

“It is not about money. We want martyr status for my son. He laid down his life for the nation, and till now, neither he has been given martyr status nor any facilities that a martyr’s family receives,” Singh said, detailing that they won’t receive a pension or any medical benefits which the family of an Army officer receives.

Baksho Devi, the eldest of Ajay Kumar’s six sisters, said, “Rs 1 crore will not bring our brother back. He had big dreams and was the only breadwinner of the family. You can take Rs 1 crore from us and give our brother back. One thing must be understood: it is not about money.”

Agniveer Ajay Kumar’s belongings adorning the walls of his home.

Charanjit Singh also backed Rahul Gandhi for raising their issue in Parliament, adding that he concurred with the Congress leader about scrapping the Agnipath scheme. He even urged PM Modi to consider this and ensure that regular recruitment is done in the Army.

Baksho Devi also questioned the Agnipath scheme, “What’s the point of a four-year job? Can’t they recruit people for longer?”

Meanwhile, local Congress leader Smit Singh, who also came to meet the family, said, “We have no doubts about the Army. They will give the money, but the family is demanding martyr status for Agniveer Ajay Kumar and all other facilities. This must be taken care of.”

-PTI