The AAP government on Tuesday re-announced two policies — allowing farmers to rent out their land to power companies to install solar panels and martyrs’ families getting ₹1 crore compensation.
At a press conference where he announced the decisions of the Delhi Cabinet in this regard, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal expressed hope that the Centre would make a similar move at the national level.
“We announced the scheme a few months after coming to power. But, unfortunately, the Lt-Governor created hurdles and no one was getting the compensation for the past 2-3 years,” Mr. Kejriwal told reporters.
The Delhi government will also provide Group ‘C’ and ‘D’ jobs to the kin of the personnel dying during duty, if no other agency offers it, he said. The duties and situations which would qualify for ex gratia — such as international war and war-like situations among others — were approved by the Cabinet on February 24, 2016.
The scheme will cover personnel of Armed forces, para military forces, Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Services, district disaster management staff, Home Guards and civil defence. The Armed forces and paramilitary personnel will qualify for the scheme if they had Delhi as permanent residence at the time of joining, said a government statement.
In case of ex gratia to kin of martyrs, the ₹1-crore amount will be divided among parents (₹40 lakh) and wife (₹60 lakh) or the whole amount will be given to either parents, spouse or a nominee depending on status of the personnel.
Disability case
In case of over 60% disability during duty, a compensation of ₹10 lakh will be provided to the affected personnel. The amount will be ₹6 lakh in case of below 60% disability. In case of prisoners of war or missing in action personnel, the compensation will involve ₹50,000 per month to the next of kin and one-time ₹5,000 per dependent, it said.
“Like Delhi, I hope the Centre will implement a similar scheme all over the country,” Mr. Kejriwal said adding that a group of Ministers headed by Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia will process the claims of ex gratia and its decision will be final. Mr. Kejriwal also announced the ‘Mukhyanmantri Kisan Aaye Badhotri Solar Yojna’ which aims to increase the income of farmers by three to five times in the Capital.
Solar panels
The maximum of one-third surface area of the agriculture land can be used for installation of solar panels in such a way that agriculture activity is not affected.
The Chief Minister said that the present estimated annual income of farmers is ₹20,000 to ₹30,000 per acre per year. “With the introduction of this scheme, farmers’ income will be increased by three to five times per acre,” he added.
