Promise made, UP scans for scheme to allot pvt flats for Akhlaq’s family members

As it stood earlier, the state government could have either made an “exception” in this case or “changed the existing guidelines”, explained a senior government official, adding that the “changes (in guidelines)” would then have become applicable in future cases as well.

Now, however, it is the Noida Authority which has to “explore the possibilities” to find four flats — one for Akhlaq’s family and one each for his three brothers.

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Confirming the development, Chief Secretary Alok Ranjan said, “The decision stands as it is. Noida Authority has been asked to explore the possibilities and revert to the (state) government. We are waiting for their response.” He admitted that it’s a “tricky task” but added that the government would soon be able to find a solution.

Fifty-year-old Mohammad Akhlaq was killed by a mob and his son Danish critically injured on September 28 in Dadri’s Bisara village over rumours that the family had consumed beef.

Akhlaq’s mother, daughter and brother Afzal had met the Chief Minister in Lucknow on October 5, after which the government raised the compensation amount to Rs 30 lakh for his immediate family and Rs 5 lakh each for his three brothers.

At the same meeting, the family expressed its “fears” over returning to the village and requested the government to shift them somewhere else, prompting the CM to announce flats for Akhlaq’s and his brothers’ families.

But for the past 15 days, officials have been unable to find a way out to ensure this help to the family.

Meanwhile, in another development, former MP Surendra Singh Nagar said that a cheque of Rs 3 lakh was Wednesday given to the family members of Rahul Yadav, who was injured in a clash between locals and the police following Akhlaq’s death. The CM, too, had assured financial help for the marriage of Rahul’s sisters and a house for the family, if required.

On Thursday, the former MP, too, promised a job for Rahul and financial help for his sisters’ marriage.