Money tied up, widows read RTI Act

As a part of its Rs 1.5 lakh-compensation package for the riot-hit, the State Government gave cheques of Rs 90,000 each to kin of those killed during the riots. The remaining Rs 60,000 were given as SSNL bonds, which were to mature in five years. “A sum of more than Rs 500 per month was to be given to the widows as interest until the bonds matured,” says activist Noorjahan Divan.

The activist from city-based voluntary organisation Aman Samuday filed the RTI application on behalf of the widows.

“We are yet to receive a reply from the office of the district collectorate,” she says.

“My husband, Mahboob Sheikh, died in police firing near Gomtipur during the post-Godhra violence. I got the compensatory bonds in 2002. However, I received Rs 500 as interest on the bonds from the Collectorate for barely a year,” alleges Yasmeen Sheikh.

“After that, some of us began getting cheques of Rs 480 per month, while some received only Rs 148 per month and others were given cheques of Rs 48 per month. This too, after long delays,” says Ferozabanu Sheikh (22), who is among the 24 applicants along with Yasmeen.

Feroza’s husband Siddique Sheikh was an Imam in a mosque in Kalupur.

“He was killed by a rioting mob in March 2002. Since his demise, I have been making ends meet by working as a domestic help,” says Feroza.

Fifty-five-year-old Amerabanu Bissi and Saliba Khatun Sheikh (32), who have also applied for information on the bonds, have similar stories to relate.

“We disburse the money as and when it is received through registered post from SSNNL. If there are any grievances in this regard, we are willing to address them,” says Ahmedabad District Collector D Thara. As for the allegation regarding irregular disbursal of interest, Thara says, “That depends on the interest rates, which tend to fluctuate.”

Criticising the State Government’s policy of providing compensation in the form of bonds, Zakia Jowher of Action Aid, says, “Victims of a tragedy like communal riots, need immediate monetary help and giving them money, which they can encash after five years,

is ridiculous.

It is not just the victims of 2002 riots, those hit by earlier riots are yet to encash the compensation money they were given in the form of bonds,” alleges Jowher.