Family of Agniveer Ajay Kumar already been paid Rs 98.39 lakh: Indian Army

The Indian Army on Wednesday took to microblogging site X (formerly Twitter) to emphasise that "emoluments due to a fallen hero are paid expeditiously" to the next of kin of departed soldiers "including Agniveers", dismissing certain posts on social media suggesting that compensation wasn't paid to the family of Agniveer Ajay Kumar who lost his life in the line of duty. While reposting the Indian Army post, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's office wrote: "Indian Army is committed for the welfare of Agniveers!"

"It is emphasised that the Indian Army salutes the supreme sacrifice made by Agniveer Ajay Kumar. The last rites were carried out with full Military Honours," read the Indian Army tweet. 

Out of the total amount due, the family of Agniveer Ajay had already been paid Rs 98.39 lakh, while ex-gratia and other benefits amounting to approximately Rs 67 lakh, as applicable according to the provisions of the Agniveer scheme, would be paid upon the final account settlement shortly after due police verification, it said. 

"The total amount will be Rs 1.65 Cr approximately," it added. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Congress president Rahul Gandhi alleged that the Defence Minister had lied in Parliament about the emoluments due to the family of Kumar, who was martyred during line of duty due to a land mine explosion in Jammu and Kashmir on January 18.

Indian Army is committed for the welfare of Agniveers! https://t.co/QohWOBR9Ip

— रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) July 3, 2024

Rahul Gandhi shared a video on X that claimed to show Kumar’s father stating that the family had not received any compensation from the government.

Singh had earlier mentioned in the parliament that Rs 1 crore was given to the family of the martyred.

सत्य की रक्षा हर धर्म का आधार है!

लेकिन रक्षा मंत्री राजनाथ सिंह ने शहीद अग्निवीर के परिवार को सहायता मिलने के बारे में संसद में झूठ बोला।

उनके झूठ पर शहीद अग्निवीर अजय सिंह के पिता जी ने खुद सच्चाई बताई है।

रक्षा मंत्री को संसद, देश, सेना और शहीद अग्निवीर अजय सिंह जी के… pic.twitter.com/H2odxpfyOO

— Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) July 3, 2024

With inputs from agencies