Delhi riots panel has settled only 7 percent compensation claims so far

Nearly a month after 40 more assessors were appointed to fast track compensation claims of the Delhi violence victims, the agency responsible for settling such applications is still struggling to contact these new appointees, sources told Newslaundry. The new list does not have any contact number, email ID or address, they said.

Set up in November 2020, the North East Delhi Riots Claims Commission has so far been able to settle only 7 percent – 200 of the total 2,775 claims – filed by victims of the February 2020 riots, according to the Delhi Lieutenant Governor’s office. That the panel has been functioning with only 14 assessors over the last two years is also a reason behind the pendency.

Considering the delay, LG V K Saxena appointed 40 more assessors – finalised by Delhi’s home department – on August 24 with a deadline to clear all claims within the next three months. But the NEDRCC hasn’t been able to contact the new appointees, sources said.

Assessors are a crucial part of the claims process; they file reports based on their assessment of damages to the claim commissioner, who then sends a recommendation to the Delhi high court, which clears the final payment after examination.

“The list of new appointments was finalised by the home department of the government of Delhi. How can one expect such an erroneous list to be approved by these top officials,” a source said, adding, “I don’t know how the commission is going to contact these assessors.”

The list, seen by Newslaundry, names mostly chartered accountants, insurance surveyors, accounting firms or lawyers. There’s duplication too; five of the assessors have been named twice in the new list. Two new appointees are also part of the reserved list, which features 10 assessors who could be contacted in case those in the main list do not respond.

Of the 35 new assessors, the commission has been able to contact only five or six, sources told Newslaundry. They alleged that the AAP government in Delhi is not resolving the issue despite being aware of the erroneous list.

Newslaundry tried to contact the new appointees. At least two assessors said that they are not aware of any such appointment, while two others said they are yet to begin work though they had received an appointment letter.

“The Delhi government has been continuously ignoring the commission’s concerns. This complicates the commission’s task to achieve the deadline given by the LG,” the source said.

The Arvind Kejriwal government had announced a compensation of Rs 10 lakh for the death of an adult family member, Rs 5 lakh for permanent incapacitation, Rs 2 lakh for serious injuries, and Rs 20,000 for minor injuries. It announced Rs 5 lakh for major damage to residential units, Rs 2.5 lakh for substantial damage and Rs 25,000 for minor damage. It promised Rs 50,000 for damage to e-rickshaws and Rs 5,000 for cattle. A compensation of Rs 5 lakh was announced for uninsured commercial units.

The violence had left at least 53 people dead, injuring 473 people and 108 police personnel. According to the affidavit filed by the Delhi Police in the high court, six temples, 13 mosques, 185 houses, 468 shops and 747 vehicles were damaged during the riots.