Six women claim widow status for Rs 6 lakh compensation after farmer's death in elephant attack in Chhattisgarh's Jashpur
All six have staked their claim to the Rs 6 lakh compensation announced by the state govt. Forest officers admitted the department is facing an 'extraordinary situation.'
They said, six women have presented themselves as wives of deceased, some even with certificates from sarpanch and panchayat.
The incident occurred on July 26 in Chimtapani village in Balajhar panchayat of Pathalgaon forest range, where 50-year-old farmer Salik Ram Toppo was trampled to death by an elephant.
When the forest department began processing the compensation case, six women turned up at the block office, each identifying herself as Salik Ram's wife and rightful heir.
Forest ranger Kripa Sindhu Paikra said that a few of them produced photos claiming Salik had given them a 'mangalsutra'. To avoid disputes, we have asked all of them to produce valid documents that can prove legal marital status will be granted compensation,' he said.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
The claimants, however, have their own arguments. One woman's son insists his mother was the farmer's first wife. Another says she lived with him for 20 years. Others presented certificates from neighbouring districts, while a woman claimed she was with Salik even on the day of the elephant attack.
The unusual case has left the forest department in a fix. Officials confirmed that Salik Ram's last companion, Budhiyaro Bai, had already been given an immediate relief payment on the day of his death, in front of her son. But with five more women now demanding compensation, the final settlement has been put on hold until documentary proof is verified.
Under state rules, families of victims of elephant attacks are entitled to Rs six lakh ex-gratia. The department said, the money will only be released once the rightful beneficiary is legally established.
Stay updated with the latest local news from your
city
on
Times of India
(TOI). Check upcoming
bank holidays
,
public holidays
, and current
gold rates
and
silver prices
in your area.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Sundargarh, Ganjam among 100 most accident-prone dists in country: Survey
Bhubaneswar: A recent letter from the ministry of road transport and highways (MoRTH) to the state transport department has identified Sundargarh and Ganjam as two of the 100 most accident-prone districts in the country. The ministry, in reference to a survey carried out by a private road safety agency, ranked Sundargarh in 84th place and Ganjam at 90th for road accidents and fatalities. According to the state transport department, Sundargarh reported 902 accidents resulting in 521 deaths and 701 injuries in 2024. Ganjam witnessed 820 accidents, with 392 fatalities and 710 injuries last year. "Following MoRTH's communication, we convened a meeting with Sundargarh and Ganjam district authorities. We are implementing effective measures to enhance road safety and reduce accidents," state transport commissioner Amitabh Thakur told TOI. Odisha Police sources indicated that two-wheeler collisions accounted for the highest fatalities in Sundargarh, with around 120 deaths (23%), while hit-and-run incidents resulted in at least 106 fatalities (20.3%) in the district last year. In Ganjam, speeding involving two-wheelers was the primary cause of accidents. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Police sources said 60% of the deceased were not wearing helmets. Last year, Ganjam reported 171 deaths on national highways and 110 on state highways, police sources informed. The district has 328.81 km of national highways and 491.87 km of state highways. Golanthara, Khallikote, Digapahandi and Sadar police station areas recorded the most accidents in Ganjam. The transport department plans to install cameras under the Intelligent Enforcement Management System (IEMS) to curb traffic violations in Sundargarh and Ganjam. "We also intend to establish Road Accident Investigation and Support Enforcement (RAISE) teams, comprising police officers and road safety experts, to conduct crash investigations and study high accident-prone areas. They will propose comprehensive solutions," a transport official said. "We have asked the police to step up enforcement drives against violators of road safety rules. Local communities and NGOs will be engaged in road safety campaigns. Driving licence of drivers causing severe accidents will be suspended," the official added. The govt has mandated forensic analysis of fatal road accidents to ensure a more scientific approach to crash investigations. State transport secretary Usha Padhee, in a recent meeting with police and regional transport officers, stressed on the importance of thorough forensic analysis of severe road accidents. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
30 camera traps installed in Bonai forest division to capture ‘tiger' presence
1 2 Rourkela: Following reports of a possible tiger's presence in Sundargarh, wildlife officials have strategically installed 30 camera traps at Jarda and Sole forest ranges in the district's Bonai forest division. "Given the animal's movement pattern, we anticipate its entry into the adjacent Bonai forest division in the district," Lalit Kumar Patra, divisional forest officer of Bonai forest division, said on Wednesday. Last week, pugmarks were spotted near Ujalpur forest range in Sundargarh forest division, prompting wildlife officials to initiate a thorough investigation, suspecting the presence of a tiger in the vicinity. Earlier, Chhattisgarh forest department had alerted its counterparts in Odisha about a suspected tiger's presence at Lephripada in Sundargarh forest division, which had possibly come from Gomarda wildlife sanctuary in Raigarh. It was speculated that the tiger might have moved to Athkosia reserve forest in Ujalpur forest range. In response, the wildlife wing issued an advisory to the Sundargarh forest division, urging the installation of camera traps at various locations to monitor the suspected big cat. Camera traps were subsequently set up in Lephripada range and Athkosia reserve forest, with an alert issued to locals. Residents were advised to avoid entering the forest and refrain from leaving their cattle and goats unattended. Forest officials have intensified patrolling efforts in Lephripada and Ujalpur forest ranges. The tiger's presence was further suspected when pugmarks were spotted in Sadar forest range on Aug 15, following an attack on a cow. Despite the installation of camera traps and increased patrolling by forest officials in Sadar and Bamra forest divisions, the animal could not be captured on camera. Reports suggest that the animal then moved to Bagdih forest range in Jharsuguda forest division. The suspected tiger reportedly travelled 150km in five days, reaching the Kholbilung section under Bamra forest division in Sambalpur district. Pugmarks near a pond in Kholbilung village confirmed the presence of a Royal Bengal tiger. Though camera traps were installed in strategic locations, the tiger is yet to be captured on film. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
People lose Rs 20,000 crore per year in online gaming: Data
Representative image NEW DELHI: Much against the arguments put forth by gaming companies against the ban on real-money gaming, the government estimates that around 45 crore people lose close to Rs 20,000 crore every year in online real-money gaming, according to data provided by an official source on Wednesday. The source said the government believes that online real-money gaming is turning into a "major problem for society," and decided to prioritise people's welfare over the revenue loss it will suffer on account of the ban. "There is a rough estimate that 45 crore people lose money every year. Total impact of the loss is estimated to be around Rs 20,000 crore," the source said, on a day when the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 was tabled and passed in the Lok Sabha. "Every parliamentarian has raised concerns about the ill effects of online gaming involving money. Between revenue from one-third of the industry segment and social welfare, the government has chosen welfare of society," the source said. The bill proposes to promote e-sports and online social gaming while banning money gaming in any form. "There will be a budget for it, and schemes and authority for their promotion. They comprise two-thirds of the industry. It will create job opportunities for the online gaming industry," the source said. Action under the bill against entities involved in money gaming will be taken mainly by state govts. Any person offering an online money gaming service in violation of stipulated provisions will face imprisonment of up to three years or a fine that may extend to Rs 1 crore, or both. The provisions also stipulate imprisonment of up to two years and/or a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh, or both, for those putting out advertisements in contravention of rules. Several online real-money gaming platforms "masquerade as game of skills" entities to differentiate themselves from gambling or betting, the source said. "Those who play the games are victims. They will not be punished as per the bill, but there will be action against those who provide real-money gaming platforms, facilitate transaction services, etc," the source said. The government has been making efforts for the last three-and-a-half years, which were being bypassed by the real-money gaming players. "Government tried to check it through GST, but it was being bypassed. There was a proposal for a regulatory body, but that was impacted by a conflict of interest. The provisions under the bill were drafted after several complaints were received from the public and their representatives," the source said.
