THE Maharashtra Cabinet on Tuesday approved the institution of a “Chief Minister’s Bravery Medal” for police officers and personnel who display courage and take risks while performing their duties. A three-tier committee mechanism will be constituted to select recipients of the award, which will carry a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a medal and a citation, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said in a statement. The performance of police personnel during the year will be considered, starting from January 1, and the awards will be announced on the eve of Maharashtra Day on May 1 and presented by the Chief Minister.

 

In another decision, the Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, increased the annual excavation limit for the Vadar community engaged in traditional stone-breaking and excavation activities from 200 brass to 500 brass. The decision will provide increased relief in royalty payable on minor minerals. The Cabinet approved amendments to the Maharashtra Land Revenue (Extraction and Removal of Minor Minerals) Rules, 1968, and gave a nod to CM SRISTHI (Scheme for Research, Innovations and Technological Hubs in Higher Education Institutions) to promote innovative technology and research in higher education institutions.

 

The Maharashtra Government has decided to provide Rs 5 lakh compensation to the kin of the custodial death victim if it is established that the person died due to assault, torture or pressure by a police officer or personnel. As per the decision, the next of kin will be paid Rs 5 lakh if it is established that the person died due to assault, torture or pressure by a police officer or personnel during the police custody, a statement issued by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said. If a person suffers less than 50 per cent permanent disability due to physical or mental torture, compensation of Rs 2 lakh will be paid. If the permanent disability is found to be more than 50 per cent, compensation of Rs 4 lakh will be provided, it said. Compensation will not be paid in cases where the person dies naturally due to old age or a pre-existing incurable illness, a sudden natural calamity, refusal to undergo medical treatment voluntarily, an accident while attempting to escape from custody, a hunger strike undertaken for unreasonable demands, or death resulting from refusal to undergo medical treatment. It has increased the honorarium of employees of aided hostels run by voluntary organisations under the Social Justice Department.

 

The honorarium of superintendents, cooks, helpers and watchmen will be increased, benefiting employees working in around 2,388 aided hostels in the state. The Cabinet has also hiked the assistance under the Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Swadhar Yojana, which will benefit Scheduled Caste and neo-Buddhist students studying in Classes 11 and 12 and pursuing professional and non-professional courses after Class 12, who are eligible for admission to government hostels but do not get admission despite applying. It has also made changes in the allowances under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana for students from tribal communities.