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New Delhi: In a clear indication it is shifting into election mode, the government on Thursday sanctioned Rs298 million (Dh25.5m) for the relief and rehabilitation of victims of communal riots that erupted in Bihar's Bhagalpur town in 1989-90.
This is the third biggest relief package the government has cleared after the Rs3.30 billion sanctioned for the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots and Rs7.14 billion for those affected by the anti-Sikh riots that erupted after the assassination of prime minister Indira Gandhi in 1984.
However, while people whose properties were damaged in the Gujarat riots have been compensated, those who suffered similar damage in Bhagalpur do not stand to get any relief.
The families of the 844 people who died in the Bhagalpur riots would each receive Rs350,000, an official spokesperson told reporters yesterday after a cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"This would be in addition to the amount already paid by the state government and would entail an expenditure of Rs295 million," the spokesperson said.
The 22 people injured in the riots would be paid Rs125,000 each, he said. This would entail an expenditure of Rs3 million.
"There will not be any compensation for property destroyed," the spokesman said in reply to a question.
The Bhagalpur riots had erupted after a Hindu religious procession was stoned, allegedly by Muslims. Most of the riot victims were Muslims.
The package for the Gujarat victims was announced last month. The families of the 1,169 people killed in Gujarat will get Rs350,000 each while the 2,540 injured will get Rs150,00 each.
In addition, an ex-gratia payment will be made to the 29,467 people whose residential properties were destroyed during the riots.
The package for the victims of the anti-Sikh riots was announced in December 2005. The families of some 3,000 people killed in 1984 have got Rs350,000 each while a similar number who were injured received Rs125,000 each.
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