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The family of Agniveer Ajay Kumar has called on the Indian Army to grant him “hero” status as he died in the line of duty. They said that no amount of compensation can replace him. They also demanded that the Agnipath scheme be scrapped.

Launched in 2022, the Agnipath scheme recruits personnel for short-term service in the armed forces to lower the average age of service members. Known as Agniveers, these recruits do not qualify for regular benefits like pensions for their families if they die in service.

“My brother lost his life for a job of four years. While the government promises Rs 1 crore, can a family survive solely on that amount without him?” Ajay Kumar’s sister said.

While accepting that the family received compensation, Kumar’s father demanded that the family should get pension and canteen card and that there should be a reevaluation of the Agnipath scheme.

Charanjit Singh Kala, a labourer, also clarified that the family has received Rs 98 lakh, of which only Rs 48 lakh came from the Army.

On Wednesday, the Army refuted claims circulating on social media that the family had not received the compensation. They confirmed that Rs 98.39 lakh had been disbursed to Kumar’s family.

“It is emphasised that the Indian Army salutes the supreme sacrifice made by Agniveer Ajay Kumar. Of the total amount due, the family of Agniveer Ajay has already been paid ₹ 98.39 lakhs. Ex-Gratia and other benefits amounting to approximately 67 lakhs, as applicable according to the provisions of the Agniveer Scheme, will be paid on Final Account Settlement shortly post Police verification. The total amount will be ₹ 1.65 Cr approximately,” the army said in a statement.

“First, we got 50 lakh insurance money from the ICICI bank. Then we got Rs 48 lakh from the army. We haven’t received the full amount yet. The Army has told us that they will give us 60 lakh rupees more. We haven’t received that money yet though. Don’t know when we will get it,” he said.

Charanjit Singh Kala told The Indian Express: “We have received Rs 98 lakh from insurance cover claim. This includes a cheque for Rs 48 lakh from the Army which is insurance cover, not ex-gratia. Another Rs 50 lakh has been received from a private bank which too is a claim of the insurance policy my son had. The Punjab government has given us a compensation of Rs 1 crore. But the claim of Rajnath Singh that the Centre has given us Rs 1 crore compensation is totally untrue. We haven’t received any ex gratia compensation from the Centre or the Army yet.”

Critics argue that insurance payouts should not be equated with government compensation, and that there is a gap between promises made and actual financial support for the families of fallen soldiers.

Amid criticism over the scheme, a parliamentary panel had earlier suggested that families of Agniveers who die in the line of duty should receive the same benefits as those of regular military personnel.