ECI enhances ex-gratia compensation

Chandigarh, March 28, 2014: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revised the slabs for ex-gratia payment to the families of polling personnel who die or sustain injuries while on election duty. Besides this, the ECI has also directed the all Chief Electoral Officers to form Village/Ward level awareness groups in expenditure sensitive pockets.
Interacting with media persons, Raminder Singh and B.Purushartha, both Additional Chief Electoral Officers informed that after the revised slabs, an amount of Rs. 10 lac as the minimum amount to be paid to the next kin of the official in the unfortunate event of death of the official while on election duty. They said that if the death was unfortunately caused due to any violent acts of extremist or unsocial elements like, road mines, bomb blasts, armed attacks, etc. the amount of compensation would be Rs. 20 lac. Besides this, in the case permanent disability, like loss of limb, eye sight, etc. a minimum ex-gratia payment of Rs. 5 lac would be given to the official and it would be doubled in the case of such mishaps being caused by extremist or unsocial elements as aforesaid, they added.
They further said that the Village level and ward level awareness groups would be formed at polling stations of each expenditure sensitive pockets, to be identified by the sector officers and police officers based on the past experience, the level of development and literacy profile and sensitivity of the area for distribution of cash, liquor or other items of bribe.
The main aim behind the formation of these awareness groups was to spread the message of ethical voting among voters and to abstain from any inducement like cash, gift, liquor or community feast organised for campaign purpose. They said that the members of the VAG/WAG could be retired government officials, officers of the banks, eminent journalists, educationist, representatives of civil society organisations, students, NSS/NCC cadets, ex-servicemen, but the members should not be affiliated to any political party or any candidate. Besides that his/her family members or blood relatives should also not be the candidates or political party leader or party functionary.
The groups would comprise of 5-10 members with at least one or two ladies, identified by the sector officers or police officers by verifying their non political antecedents. The membership of these groups would purely be on voluntary basis.
To aware the masses about ethical voting, these groups would organise nukad meetings/rallies/group discussion against the evil effects of bribe during elections in their respective areas. They also clarified that these groups would not take any direct action against the malpractice and it should only inform the District Complaint Monitoring Centre opened for the purpose. Keeping in view the security of group members’ identity of members giving information would be kept secret.
Meanwhile, 1, 71,634 licensed arms have been deposited. 2714 persons have been bound over and 756 persons have been bound down under preventive sections of Cr PC. Till date 4720 non-bailable warrants have been executed. Besides this, a total 8680 nakas have been put on different places and at different timings.