The Delhi Government has approved a long-pending policy to offer compassionate employment to dependents of those killed in the 1984 anti-Sikh riots. The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday.
Officials said the move marks a major step towards delivering long-overdue relief and recognition to families who have waited more than four decades for justice and rehabilitation. The Chief Minister said the new policy would fast-track pending employment cases that have remained unresolved since a Cabinet decision in 2007. “For the past 18 years, the process could not be completed due to administrative hurdles. This policy introduces a clear, structured, and time-bound framework to ensure that no rightful claimant is left behind,” she said.
Under the new policy, the dependents of riot victims who are now above 50 years of age and unable to work will be allowed to nominate a younger family member. The nominee can be a son, daughter, daughter-in-law, or son-in-law. The provision was included to ensure that the benefit of employment reaches the families in a meaningful way. “This clause acknowledges that many dependents are now elderly and unable to take up jobs themselves. The option to nominate a younger family member ensures that assistance truly supports the household,” an official from the Chief Minister’s Office said.
The policy also includes relaxations in age and educational qualifications. These will apply in accordance with the guidelines of the Delhi High Court and existing service rules. A transparent verification and grievance redressal system has been built into the policy to ensure accountability. Departments will be assigned clear roles for processing and approving applications within specific timelines.
The Chief Minister said the government’s aim is not only to provide financial assistance but also to restore the dignity of families who suffered in the violence. “Our government is determined to ensure that no eligible family faces further delays. By extending opportunities to the next generation, we seek to uphold their right to livelihood and honour,” she said. Officials said the Cabinet’s approval closes a long chapter of administrative delays. Many applications for compassionate employment have been pending since the mid-2000s, with families repeatedly petitioning the Government.
The new framework will reopen those cases and establish a single-window system for processing fresh applications. “The idea is to make the process humane, transparent, and time-bound,” an official said.
The 1984 anti-Sikh riots, which broke out after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, left thousands dead and displaced across Delhi. Families of victims have been seeking justice, compensation, and rehabilitation for decades.
In 2006, the Delhi Government had announced a compensation package and employment assistance for victims’ dependents. But the implementation stalled over verification disputes and lack of a clear policy. The 2025 decision aims to remove those barriers permanently.
The Chief Minister said this decision is both administrative and moral. “This is about justice delayed for too long. These families deserve not just compensation but dignity and opportunity. Our effort is to finally close this painful chapter with fairness and compassion,” she said.
