PATNA: The Bihar government rules have made this 'Veer Nari (brave woman)', Tusia Devi
- the widow of 'Shaurya Chakra' winner armyman, Mahendra Kumar Sharma -
an 'abla (weak woman)'. After running from pillar to post for over 28
years, seeking financial assistance and a plot of land as per the policy
of Bihar government, her hopes lie shattered.
The state government last week came out with its plea that there is no rule or provision for providing ex gratia to the widows of those army men who sacrifice their lives while protecting the lives and properties of citizens.
Tusia's husband, Mahendra Kumar Sharma, had laid down his life while fighting the road robbers who attacked the bus he was travelling in on January 27, 1984, near Jehangirpur village in Jehanabad district, but saved the lives of 40 passengers, including 16 schoolchildren. An army signalman, he was awarded 'Shaurya Chakra' posthumously, while the Army bestowed the title of 'Veer Nari' to Tusia, now 53, who lives at Kinjar in Arwal district.
The government has now taken the stand that she cannot be given any benefit other than what was given to her earlier.
The State Information Commission (SIC) had taken up her case and in January last, sought a report from the principal secretary, home, and directed the information officer of Army Welfare Directorate to report about the moves initiated for granting financial assistance and a plot of land to Tusia, a mother of two.
The public information officer (PIO) of home (special) department turned up at the SIC last week to say there was no provision to extend help to her. He produced a letter signed by the principal secretary, home, to this effect before information commissioner Farzand Ahmed, who had passed the earlier order. Ahmed told the PIO there might not be any rule to help the widow of an army man whose bravery was recognized by Army, but every rule has an exception.
SP Sharma, senior record officer of the Jabalpur-based Signal division of the Indian Army, had, on December 5, 2005, recommended an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh to Tusia. Her lawyer, Sachin Thakur, who pleaded her case before the SIC, said while people including those with criminal background get compensation in the event of their being killed, when the question of helping and rehabilitating the widow of an army man arises, babus take the cover of rules.
Babus have won, but Ahmed has asked the PIO to inform in writing what a widow like Tusia Devi deserves and what the state has done for her so far.
The state government last week came out with its plea that there is no rule or provision for providing ex gratia to the widows of those army men who sacrifice their lives while protecting the lives and properties of citizens.
Tusia's husband, Mahendra Kumar Sharma, had laid down his life while fighting the road robbers who attacked the bus he was travelling in on January 27, 1984, near Jehangirpur village in Jehanabad district, but saved the lives of 40 passengers, including 16 schoolchildren. An army signalman, he was awarded 'Shaurya Chakra' posthumously, while the Army bestowed the title of 'Veer Nari' to Tusia, now 53, who lives at Kinjar in Arwal district.
The government has now taken the stand that she cannot be given any benefit other than what was given to her earlier.
The State Information Commission (SIC) had taken up her case and in January last, sought a report from the principal secretary, home, and directed the information officer of Army Welfare Directorate to report about the moves initiated for granting financial assistance and a plot of land to Tusia, a mother of two.
The public information officer (PIO) of home (special) department turned up at the SIC last week to say there was no provision to extend help to her. He produced a letter signed by the principal secretary, home, to this effect before information commissioner Farzand Ahmed, who had passed the earlier order. Ahmed told the PIO there might not be any rule to help the widow of an army man whose bravery was recognized by Army, but every rule has an exception.
SP Sharma, senior record officer of the Jabalpur-based Signal division of the Indian Army, had, on December 5, 2005, recommended an ex gratia of Rs 10 lakh to Tusia. Her lawyer, Sachin Thakur, who pleaded her case before the SIC, said while people including those with criminal background get compensation in the event of their being killed, when the question of helping and rehabilitating the widow of an army man arises, babus take the cover of rules.
Babus have won, but Ahmed has asked the PIO to inform in writing what a widow like Tusia Devi deserves and what the state has done for her so far.
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