PM Modi Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Families of Kolkata Fire Victims

KOLKATA: Following a devastating fire that broke out at Kolkata's Eastern Railway Headquarters Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of ₹ 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased persons, and ₹ 50,000 to those who were seriously injured.

Earlier on Monday fire broke out at the 13 storied building of the Eastern Railway in Kolkata's Strand Road following which nine person were charred to death, this includes four personnel form the fire department, two from the railway department and an Assistant Sub Inspector of Police (ASI).

The PM expressing grief approved an ex-gratia of ₹ 2 lakhs each from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund PMNRF.

"PM Narendra Modi has approved an ex-gratia of ₹ 2 lakhs each from Prime Minister's National Relief Fund for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic fire in Kolkata. ₹ 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted on Tuesday morning.

"Saddened by the loss of lives due to the fire tragedy in Kolkata. In this hour of sadness, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover at the earliest," he added.

Earlier, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visited the site and announced ₹ 10 lakh compensation for the next of kin of the deceased. During her visit to the site of the incident she alleged non-cooperation from the Indian Railways.

Ministry of Railways, Piyush Goyal has initiated a high-level committee to ascertain the cause of the fire. "All possible assistance has been provided by the Railways to the State Govt during this unfortunate fire accident. A high level inquiry consisting of four Principal heads of Railway departments has been ordered to ascertain the cause of the fire," Goyal said in a tweet.

Meanwhile, a political blame game emerged in the poll bound state with the BJP accusing the Trinamool Congress TMC leader Banerjee for poor disaster management and the ruling dispensation rubbishing the allegation.

Countering the claims made by the saffron party, State Fire and Emergency Services Minister Sujit Bose was quoted as saying, "From installing hydraulic ladder to largely containing the blaze, our men did everything possible. It is the Railways which could not provide us with a map of the interiors of the 12th floor."

Banerjee, however, refrained from indulging in any politics with such tragedy.

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