Jeevan Raksha Padak: 12 Rat Miners Honoured for Silkyara Rescue

Minister of Union Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari awarded Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak to 12 rat miners for their extraordinary courage and selfless service in the Silkyara Tunnel Rescue Operation. These awardees received their awards during a ceremony held in New Delhi for their contribution in the tough mission of rescue of workers stuck inside the collapsed tunnel. It reflects the importance of courage, promptness and selfless service in the rescue operations where life is involved.

12 Rat Miners Awarded Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak

Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak was awarded to 12 rat miners for their participation in the rescue operation at Silkyara Tunnel by Nitin Gadkari. The Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra along with some other senior officials attended the event.

While addressing the gathering, Nitin Gadkari termed the rescue operation at the Silkyara tunnel as the most challenging mission in recent times. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi kept a close eye on the whole mission and made sure that all necessary means were utilised for the rescue of the workers.

What Is the Jeevan Raksha Padak?

The Jeevan Raksha Padak is given to those persons who show fearlessness and quick action for rescuing human lives. This award can be given for activities performed in incidents of drowning, fire accidents, electrocution, natural disasters, animal attack, and mining operations.

The award is given to those people who have endangered their own lives for rescuing other persons.

Categories of the Jeevan Raksha Padak

There are three different types of the Jeevan Raksha Padak.

1. Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak

This is the highest category of the Jeevan Raksha Padak award. This award is made for displaying courage during an act of saving someone’s life that involves extremely hazardous conditions for the rescuer.

The 12 mine workers of Silkyara Tunnel have received this award for their heroic actions.

2. Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak

This award is given for displaying courage and promptness while saving a life under hazardous conditions for the rescuer.

3. Jeevan Raksha Padak

This award is given for courageous and prompt actions for saving a person’s life at the risk of incurring serious physical injuries to the rescuer.

Who Can Be Awarded the Jeevan Raksha Padak?

The Padak is available for anyone from any walk of life. However, if the individual is from the Armed Forces, Police Forces and recognised Fire Services, the act of courage should be beyond the call of duty for him to qualify for this Padak.

Members of the Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations can also qualify for the award under the new scheme.

The recipient will receive the Jeevan Raksha Padak from the concerned Union Ministry, organisation or State Government to which the awardee belongs.

How is the Nomination for the Jeevan Raksha Padak Awarded?

The nominations are made for the Jeevan Raksha Padak on an annual basis from the States, Union Territories and Union Ministries.

The nominations are looked into by the Awards Committee within a period of two calendar years from the date on which the life-saving act took place.

Finally, the award is approved by the Prime Minister and the President of India.

Jeevan Raksha Padak: Financial Award

The recipient gets a medal, certificate and one-time monetary award. The amount varies according to the category.

Category Wise One-time Monetary Allowance

• Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak: ₹2 lakh
• Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak: ₹1.5 lakh
• Jeevan Raksha Padak: ₹1 lakh

There are no additional facilities or concessions like railway and air travel facilities that are provided along with the award by the Government.