An official panel tasked with identifying pellet victims with grievous eye-injuries for compensation has recommended that the victims who have lost vision in both eyes be given Rs four lakh each. Officials also said a proposal for compensating those whose one eye has been “completely blinded” by pellet shotguns last year is also under “active consideration”.
A source told Kashmir Post that the divisional commissioner Kashmir-headed committee has so far finalized more than 16 cases for compensation.
During the Budget Session in Jammu this year, the Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti announced in the Assembly that jobs and free education would be provided to those blinded by pellets.
To a question that the government had announced jobs for pellet victims, the source said: “There is no clear word yet. The committee had been asked to identify the pellet victims for compensation.”
“The committee has recommended cash grant and some other form of compensation. The final decision lies with the government,” he said.
The official said following long deliberations, the government might change its eligibility criteria (for compensation) and those who have ended up with 75 percent visual disability or whose one eye has been completely blinded could also be considered for compensation.
“The committee has urged the government to employ a humane approach rather than a technical one,” the official said.
He said all the cases of visual disability would be verified and certified by a divisional medical board.
As per hospital records, over 1,000 people in Kashmir have been treated for pellet injuries in eye(s) after the 2016 uprising. 65 of them were hit in both eyes. In 20 cases, the victims have completely lost one eye due to the injury.
