New Delhi: The widow of Manoj Kumar Biswal, a head constable of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), who made the supreme sacrifice while saving the lives of pilgrims on their way to the Machail Mata Temple in Jammu and Kashmir on August 14 this year, received additional financial assistance of Rs 1 crore as personal accidental insurance on Wednesday.
Biswal was a resident of Manikamara village in the Dhenkanal district of Odisha.
Sasmita Biswal was one of two beneficiaries to receive cheques, at a closed-door event, during the day. The other was Madhu Sharma, widow of Anand Kumar, another CISF head constable, who was deployed with Biswal at the Chisoti village in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir when disaster struck.
According to a CISF spokesperson, Biswal and Kumar were from the 7th Reserve Battalion, Kishtwar, and were deployed on internal security duty at Chisoti – the final halt on the 32 km pilgrimage route from Gulabgarh to the Machail Mata Temple.
“During their deployment, a sudden and intense cloudburst triggered massive flash floods in the area. Recognizing the imminent danger, both personnel, without regard for their own safety, immediately began alerting pilgrims and guiding them to safer locations. Their swift action, exceptional alertness, presence of mind, and unwavering devotion to duty enabled
the timely evacuation of many pilgrims and helped save numerous lives,” it has been said in a statement.
“Tragically, while carrying out these humanitarian efforts, they were themselves swept away by the flash floods. Both personnel made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Their mortal remains were recovered two days later,” the statement added.
This payout is part of the enhanced SBI CAPSP benefits approved for families of CISF jawans who made the supreme sacrifice in the Kishtwar cloudburst.
CISF, which safeguards over 360 vital installations across the country, places strong emphasis on the welfare of its serving personnel as well as the families of those who make the supreme sacrifice.
“As per existing provisions, CISF and MHA pay an ex-gratia lump sum of about Rs 60 lakh. However, to ensure additional benefits, the force has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the State Bank of India (SBI). Under the CAPSP Scheme, SBI provides an additional Rs 1 crore as personal accident insurance to the next of kin of the deceased personnel,” the spokesperson said.
“On this solemn occasion, the DG CISF welcomed the families of the martyrs and expressed his heartfelt gratitude for their immense sacrifice. He praised the extraordinary courage of both bravehearts and assured the families that CISF will always stand beside them,” he added.
In addition to the Rs 1 crore insurance amount, SBI, as mandated under the MoU, will provide Rs 8 lakh for the education of each male child, Rs 10 lakh for the education of each female child, and Rs 10 lakh for the marriage of two girl children (Rs 5 lakh each).
CISF also offers compassionate appointments to eligible family members of the deceased personnel.