Rohtak: People from Jat community stage a demonstration to press for Special Backward Class (SBC) status in Rohtak on Feb 20, 2016. (Photo: IANS)
Chandigarh, Feb 22 (IANS) The Haryana government on Monday decided to give full compensation for the damage caused to private property in the state during the violent Jat reservation agitation.
The decision was taken by the state cabinet, which met under Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here on Monday.
"Full compensation will be given for damage to private property, whether residential or commercial, and to immediately assess the role of all officers and officials, of both civil and police administration, for any act of omission or commission during the Jat agitation," a state government spokesman said here.
The cabinet reviewed the prevailing situation and the steps to defuse the tension across the state at the earliest.
"The state government also decided to give an ex-gratia of Rs.10 lakh to the next of kin of those innocent people killed in the ongoing agitation and employment to a member of the family of the deceased. Also, no false case would be registered against anyone," Haryana's Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ram Bilas Sharma announced here.
"It was decided that a senior IAS officer shall be deputed as a nodal officer to assess the damage caused to private properties in both urban and rural areas.
"A proforma to file claims for compensation for damage to the property would be made available online also in the office of the deputy commissioner and after assessment of the same, compensation would be released within a month," the cabinet decided.
Sixteen people have so far lost their lives in the ongoing agitation and 183 were injured, the spokesman said.
"(A total of) 320 cases have been registered and 102 people have been arrested," he said.
"While blockades at several places have been lifted, efforts are on to remove the remaining 449 blockades on railway tracks and roads," he said.
The cabinet meeting was informed that Haryana Roadways suffered a loss of Rs.15 crore as 33 buses were set on fire and 99 buses were damaged.
"Out of the 2,370 petrol pumps in the state, 381 have become dry. Out of 387 LPG agencies, 185 are without stock. The state government is trying to ensure its supply through Punjab," the spokesman said, quoting data provided to the cabinet meeting.
"Out of 26 petrol pumps damaged during the agitation, eight of these are in Rohtak, five in Bhiwani and six in Jhajjar. However, there is no shortage of kerosene in the state," he said.
"The administration and security forces got the Munak canal functional today (Monday) morning by getting the dharna lifted at Akbarpur, but the protesters again blocked the canal at Kabru.
"The protesters are now being urged to release water. As an immediate measure, the water of Yamuna canal is being supplied to Delhi through Munak canal," the spokesman said.
Trade and industry body Assocham pegged the loss due to the agitation at around Rs.20,000 crore.
