Gujarat govt changes rules for orphans

The Gujarat government has decided to change the procedure of giving compensation to children orphaned in the recent violence in order to pr...

The Gujarat government has decided to change the procedure of giving compensation to children orphaned in the recent violence in order to protect their interests and ensure their proper care till they attain adulthood. The government has also decided to do away with the rider of obtaining the counter signature of a civil surgeon by those injured or rendered handicapped for getting compensation.

Instead, the medical officer of a municipal-run hospital can issue a certificate, with the counter signature of the superintendent, to victims. The new procedures are laid down in two separate government resolutions issued here on Thursday.

The compensation amount of Rs 3 lakh (Rs 1.50 lakh for the death of each parent), given to orphans, will be invested in ‘Srinidhi’ bonds of the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam in a joint account with the district collector/DDO concerned.

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The money will remain locked in bonds until the orphan attains the age of 18. However, the interest will be paid to the guardian, who will have to submit an account of expenditure to the collector/DDO regularly. The interest money will be spent only on the maintenance of the orphan.

Relief Commissioner G.C. Murmu explained that under the existing procedure, the guardians of orphaned children could directly claim compensation. Murmu said the decision to dispense with the practice of obtaining the counter signature of a civil surgeon would mitigate the hardships of those injured in the violence.

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