Haryana to pay Rs 8,000 per month to acid attack victims

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana government has decided to pay monthly financial assistance of Rs 8,000 to all acid attack victims who come under the definition of "disability" in the Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995.During the hearing of a petition filed in January 2012 on rehabilitation of acid attack victims, the state government on Monday submitted before the Punjab and Haryana high court that the compensation policy of the state had been modified through a notification on August 28.The government, in its affidavit by the home secretary, stated that a monthly financial assistance of Rs 8,000 will be given to all those victims who come within the definition of "disability" under Section 2 (i) of the Persons with Disabilities (Equal Opportunities Protection of Rights of Full Participation) Act, 1995. Besides, victims will also be given preference in allotment of fair price shops by the food and supply department.The home secretary also stated in his status report that "as a one-time measure, the cases occurred on or after January 1, 2012, will also be considered under the new policy".After hearing the state's reply, the high court disposed of the petition. It, however, observed that as regards medical treatment, the victims who suffered such attacks even prior to January 1, 2012, should also be entitled to submit application to the district legal services authority concerned for getting free treatment.As per the policy, the government pays Rs 5 lakh in case of death due to acid attack, Rs 3 lakh for defacement, loss of limb or part of body and Rs 50,000 for other injuries. The victims are also entitled to 100% free medical treatment, including plastic surgery, from any of the government hospitals or government-approved hospitals.The matter had reached the HC through a petition filed by the Poor Patients' Society seeking directions to the states of Punjab and Haryana to formulate a policy for the rehabilitation of acid attack victims.