A Central scheme in place since April 1,2008,provides for assistance to civilian victims of communal,terrorist and Naxal violence,while another scheme provides for ex gratia assistance to communal violence victims. From 2008 until May 15,2012,six states Maharashtra,Orissa,Madhya Pradesh,Assam,Karnataka and Rajasthan have used the first scheme to provide assistance to communal violence victims,while only Gujarat and Bihar have used the ex gratia scheme in the last 10 years. The first six states received between them Rs 4.32 crore for communal violence victims during this period. Under the ex gratia scheme,Gujarat received Rs 429.46 crore over four financial years while Bihar got Rs 29.81 crore in 2008-09,according to the home ministrys response to an RTI application by The Indian Express. The application had asked for details of assistance released only to victims of communal violence. Under the ex gratia scheme,Bihar and Gujarat are the only states to avail of the benefit in the last 10 years. The National Foundation for Communal Harmony implements the scheme whose benefits have been used by the six states. Victims of communal violence in Maharashtra received Rs 33 lakh in 2008-09 and 2009-10. Victims in Orissa received Rs 1.44 crore in three financial years,those in Madhya Pradesh Rs 45 lakh in three years,those in Assam Rs 1.89 crore in three years,and those in Karnataka Rs 15 lakh in two years. Victims in Rajasthan received Rs 6 lakh in the current year and 2012-13,making that state the only beneficiary during these two financial years. In its response to the RTI application,the home ministry said it has not received any complaint regarding misuse of money for the victims of communal violence/riots under the scheme titled Central Assistance to the Victims of Terrorist/Communal/Naxal violence.
