Crime victims to get monetary compensation in Punjab

Victims of crime or their dependents who have suffered loss or injury in incidents where the perpetrator has gone unpunished will now get monetary compensation in Punjab.

A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the state cabinet here chaired by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal, an official spokesperson said.

Under the Victim Compensation Policy, the government has approved Rs1 lakh maximum compensation for loss of life, Rs40,000 in case of loss of any limb or body part resulting 40% or above handicap, Rs 30,000 as compensation for rape and Rs20,000 for loss or injury causing severe mental agony to women and children in cases like human trafficking.

An amount of Rs7 crore was proposed to be provided in the financial year 2011-12 and Rs4 crore would be provided for the remaining part of the current financial year 2010-11, the spokesperson said.

In another decision, the Cabinet gave its nod for regulating drug de-addiction centres in the state.