Govt to compensate ₹ 5 lakh to victim of animal attack

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 7, 2021

Meghalaya Government has revised the rate of ex-gratia grant to victims of wildlife depredation.

In an office Memorandum issued by DP Wahlang, Additional Chief Secretary Forest & Environment Department stated that the Governor of Meghalaya has approved the revised rates of ex-gratia grants to wildlife depredation victims.

The following are the revised rates for the ex-gratia grants to victims of wildlife depredation:

Sl.No	Nature of Depredation	Rates
1	Loss of Human Life	₹ 5,00,000/- per person
2.	Human injury
2.1.	Permanent incapacitation	₹ 5,00,000/- per person
2.2	Grievous injury	₹ 2,00,000/- per person
2.3.	Minor injury	Cost of treatment up to ₹ 25,000/- per person
3	Damage to houses and other buildings	To be assessed by Forest Officials in consultation with a Revenue Official not below the rank of Inspector.
4	Damage to Agricultural & Plantation crops and Apiculture (bee-hives)	To be assessed by Forest Officials in consultation with a Revenue Official not below the rank of Inspector and a representative of the Department of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare not below the rank of Inspector.
5.	Loss of livestock – Cow, Bullock, Ox, Buffalo, Pig, Goat, Sheep, Horse and their young ones	To be assessed by Forest Officials in consultation with a Revenue Official not below the rank of Inspector and a representative of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department not below the rank of Inspector.

In an office memorandum, it is stated that the gratuitous relief in the form of ex-gratia payment is only applicable to the above conditions and that after proper investigation by authorized officers will be taken into consideration for the grant. It also stated that no payment will be allowed to a person killed or injured engaged in illegal activity. Any illegal activity is punishable under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 or the Meghalaya Forest Regulation or any other relevant Act and the rules framed thereunder.

The ex-gratia at the revised rates shall be payable in the cases which have occurred on or after the date of issue of the memorandum.