1500 Cr Compensation Package for Bhopal Tragedy
New Delhi: The Group of Ministers (GoM) has finalized its recommendations to the Prime Minister for a compensation package of Rs 1,500 crore for the kin of those who died and those debilitated in the Bhopal gas disaster. The package includes relief and rehabilitation of the victims, environmental clean-up.
GoM, recommended allocating a Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the dead in the world's worst industrial disaster nearly 26 years ago. A sum of Rs 227 crore has been earmarked for upgrading seven hospitals including the Bhopal Memorial Trust hospital which was set up in the aftermath of the tragedy. Also they made recommendation for a fund of Rs 300Cr for clean-up at the site of the tragedy.
In 1989, the government accepted a settlement from Carbide that allowed 500 dollarsfor each person who died. To make up for that, the GoM suggests 10 lakhs as compensation for every person who died. Those permanently disabled or suffering from critical ailments by the gas leak are likely to get Rs five lakh while those partially debilitated will get Rs three lakh. The Central government will fund this compensation for now. But will take legal action against theDow Chemicals, which bought Carbide in 2001.
