State sanctions ₹7.97 crore compensation for victims of Bhima Koregaon riots

The state government has sanctioned a compensation-cum-rehabilitation fund of ₹7.97 crore for victims of the Bhima Koregaon riots, which took place in Bhima Koregaon, Shikrapur and Sanaswadi on January 1.

The government has issued an official order to this effect, which has been published as a statewide notification dated August 3. The order states that the district collector of Pune sent a proposal seeking approval for compensation estimated to be worth ₹7,97,90,670 to the state government, after the panchnama and other formalities were completed by the administration. The state accordingly sanctioned the said amount, reads the order.

Funds have been drawn from the family and social welfare department, social security scheme and fund for assistance to riot affected. Additional allocation of funds will be made by the state during the monsoon session of the state Assembly. 

The order made it clear that under no circumstances the sanctioned funds to the allotted beneficiaries be given in cash. The state has directed the collectorate to deposit the funds in accounts of the beneficiaries and to tally the expenditure with the state accounting department.

Besides, the district collector must ensure that the statement of accounts is submitted to the revenue and forest department. A bonafide certificate regarding allocation of funds must be submitted to the state government before January 31,2019, the order stated. 

It further mentioned that the decision for allocation of funds was approved by the state’s finance department and state section officer, Dilip Ramchandra Bagane, who issued the order on behalf of the state government. 

 Pune district collector Naval Kishor Ram told Hindustan Tiimes, “We have received funds to the tune of ₹7.97 crore from the state government and it will be distributed to beneficiaries in two-to-three weeks’ time,” he said. 

The government has already sanctioned a separate compensation to the next of kin of Rahul Phatangale, who was killed in the Bhima Koregaon riots. Besides, financial assistance has also been provided to provide shelter to riot victims. 

Riots erupted in the region on January 2 on the occasion of the 200th anniversary of the battle of Bhima Koregaon at the Jai Stambh victory monument erected by the British after defeating the Peshwas in the 1818 battle of Koregaon Bhima. 

On December 31, 2017, over 250 Dalit organisations held an Elgar Parishad at the historic Shaniwarwada which was described as anti-national by right wing groups