Why compensation to 1984 riots victims not yet given asks Sukhbir Singh Badal

 Bringing to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Punjab government has said that there is resentment among the Sikh community as to why the compensation for the victims of 1984 riots was not yet given.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Punjab Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said, "There is a sense of palpable disappointment and even resentment amongst the Sikh community as to why the compensation award for the victims was not implemented immediately after its announcement." Badal said the recent developments have given an impression that the Centre was yet to take a decision on awarding Rs 5 lakh each as compensation to the families of the riot victims as announced on October 30 and that the move was at a proposal stage only.

In reply to an Election Commission notice on the reports of compensation, the Centre had said no decision had been taken in this regard. The Deputy CM said while such steps would help provide justice to the 1984 victims, the Centre must implement its award announcement immediately to avoid sending a wrong signal to the Sikh community. The letter pointed out that this issue was also part of the common minimum programme of the Akali-BJP alliance during the recent Lok Sabha and earlier assembly elections in Punjab.