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In a rare gesture, a government official has been single-handedly raising funds to help the family of a man who was killed in police firing during the panchayat polls in Bihar.
Jagdish Kumar, a sub divisional officer posted in Darbhanga district, has so far collected more than Rs 2 lakh. "I have raised money through contributions by people from different walks of life to financially help the family of Jibachan Rai, who was killed two months ago," Kumar said.
Rai was killed when the police opened fire on a violent mob during the counting of votes at Satighar high school under Kushsehwarsthan block in Darbhanga. Rai used to work as a daily wage labourer in Guwahati in Assam. He had arrived in Darbhanga a few days before the panchayat elections in May.
Moved by the plight of Rai's family, Kumar decided to financially help them. Rai, who was just 26 years old, is survived by his widow, Rita Devi, three daughters and mother.
Kumar told rediff.com that when he began his efforts to raise money, he was not sure of the response he would get. However, people encouraged him to go ahead. "It was not an easy task for me but every one contributed when I began to collect money for the cause," he said.
Kumar said that he first approached local influential people including businessmen, traders, social activists and others to help him raise money for Rai's family.
Kumar deposited the money he collected in the local branch of Central Bank of India under the monthly income scheme. An account has been opened in the name of Rai's widow and she would be able to withdraw Rs 1,500 per month for the next ten years. The bank passbook has been handed over to Rita Devi, Kumar said.
Kumar hopes to collect some more money to help Rai's family." I will try for more funds by my own efforts," he said. Thanks to Kumar's initiatives, Rita Devi and Rai's mother have been sanctioned widows' pension of Rs 400 each, which will help the family survive.