The Bengal cabinet on Friday ratified the chief minister’s decision to give jobs to the next of kin of each one killed in violence during the panchayat polls held in July.

Sources said the process of giving jobs to the next of kin of the victims had already started.

“It was a mention case, which means the cabinet was apprised of the initiative that was announced by the chief minister soon after the panchayat polls,” said a source.

Mamata Banerjee had earlier said 19 people had died in violence during the panchayat polls though Opposition parties had claimed the toll had surpassed 40.

“A total of 19 people have died since the nomination period. They are victims of circumstances. We will give Rs 2 lakh each and a job as a special home guard…. We will not discriminate against the victims on the basis of political affiliations,” the chief minister had said on July 12.

Mamata had also said 10-12 violence victims out of 19 belonged to the Trinamul Congress.