By TwoCircles.net staff reporter,
Ahmedabad: The BJP-ruled Gujarat government seems to be unhappy with the announcement of a compensation package of Rs 3.3 crore by the Congress-led UPA government at the centre for the victims of the 2002 Gujarat riots.
The central government on 22nd May announced the package by which families of 1169 victims will be paid each Rs 3.5 lakh and Rs 1.25 lakh will be given to each of the 2,548 people who were injured during the post-Godhra pogram.
While the state government run by Narendra Modi, who was chief minister during the program also, has alleged that the central move is for political benefits, the Congress, the main opposition party in Gujarat assembly, has welcomed the decision, saying the move was to do justice with the riot victims.
Talking to pressmen, spokesperson of the state government and Minister for Health Jai Narayan Vyas said, just after the announcement of the package from the central government, that motive behind the compensation package for the riot victims is to gain political advantage. The package has been announced when the central government has entered in election year, he said adding that the decision should have been taken before.
Vyas termed the package as a partial move. “Many riots occurred between anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and Gujarat riots of 2002. Why such package was not announced for victims of those riots?” the minister questioned.
It is said that after the 1984 Sikh riots, the 2002 Gujarat riot was the first wherein state machinery appeared working in connivance with rioters and killers.
Welcoming the package Congress leader Arjun Modhwadia said the victims will get some relief with this package and BJP must not oppose it because the victims and 250 survivors of Godhra train fire will also get benefit from the package.