Agniveer’s Kin Claims Receipt of Rs 1 Crore Amid Deceased’s Controversy

The family of Akshay Gawate, an Agniveer from Buldhana district who passed away in October 2023 at Siachen Glacier due to health issues within a year of his recruitment, received approximately Rs 1.08 crore from the government and the Army. This contradicts Rahul Gandhi’s assertion in Parliament that families of soldiers recruited under the Agnipath scheme do not receive compensation in the event of their death while on duty.

Akshay Gawate’s Father Seeks Monthly Pension and Government Job for Daughter

Both Akshay’s family as well as local govt officials confirmed that the money was received within a month.
An application to declare Gawate’s death as a “battle casualty” is still pending. If approved, the family would get another Rs 1 crore from the state govt, said officials in the Zilla Sainik Welfare Board. However, Akshay’s father Laxmanrao Gawate has demanded a pension so that there is a monthly payout. The 50-year-old, who tills a three-acre farm in Pimpalgaon Sarai village, also wants a govt job for his 19-year-old daughter Shweta.

An official stated that among the funds received by the family, Rs 48 lakh was from insurance, Rs 50 lakh from the Ministry of Defence, and CM Eknath Shinde had announced a special grant of Rs 10 lakh. Additionally, his battalion contributed Rs 6 lakh.