New Delhi: The administration of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday announced an increase in compensation amount for elected councilors of municipal bodies killed in militant incidents in the state. Now an ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh will be given to the family members of the councilor killed in any terror incident. According to an order issued by Dhiraj Gupta, principal secretary of the government, the municipal body of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir approves payment of ex-gratia compensation in favor of legally elected councilors who have died in terrorism-related incidents. Since the 2019 local unit elections in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, 18 members have died in separate terror attacks. Three of them were killed in terror attacks in Sopore in 2021. The order said that ex-gratia will be paid to the Next Of Kin (NOK) of the deceased through the concerned Deputy Commissioners/District Development Commissioners through the Government. The order says that the deputy commissioner concerned will prepare, amend and present the matter regarding payment of ex-gratia through the Department of Housing and Urban Development. On receipt of the case, the Department of Housing and Urban Development will forward the matter to the Department of Finance for release/payment of ex-gratia in favor of the family members of the deceased. Also Read: The threat of dengue looms in this state amid rising Corona Kerala Finance Minister Announces Rs 5,650 cr Financial package as Covid hit the state Fire erupts at Shrimp Farm in Guntur, six Odisha workers burnt to death