Jaswinder Singh Patna, president of Punjab Sikh Migrants Welfare Board, today accused the Punjab government of lacking sincerity in implementing the relief package for the victims of ‘84 anti-Sikh riots.

“Although the Government of India has released the grant for the riot victims, but the state government has failed to distribute the same. The state government should not use the riot victims for playing political games, but should rather redress their grievances sincerely,” said Patna.

He said, “It was in 2006, when the Government of India had announced a relief package for the migrant and affected families. But out of the 22,000 card holders, only 12,000 families have been provided the announced compensation of Rs 2 lakh each. The applications of remaining 10,000 families were rejected on flimsy grounds, despite the central government’s directive that simple norms be followed while granting relief to the riot victims.”

Amrik Singh Dhingra, senior vice-president, Punjab Sikh Migrants Welfare Board, said, “The Punjab government allotted shops to some of the riot victims in 1987, but till date, the possession of the same have not been given.”

He said that it was a matter of concern that only 240 booths had been allotted so far in Ludhiana while the number of affected families was high.

Patna said, “In 2007, when the Punjab government sought applications from the riot victims, who did not have red cards. In Ludhiana alone, 4,000 applications were submitted, but nothing has emerged from the exercise even after two years.”