The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has demanded the Odisha Government to raise the ex-gratia amount to next of kin of accident victims.
Party spokesperson Thakur Ranjit Das on Friday took a dig at the State government stating that the Odisha is far behind as compared to other states in providing appropriate compensation to the families of those killed in accidents.
For instance, the BJP leader compared the ex-gratia amount announced by the Maharashtra government for the deceased in the fire tragedy at Mumbai's Tardeo with the recent bus mishap in Soro in Balasore district, on January 22. As many as 6 persons were killed in the accident. While the Maharashtra government had announced Rs 5 lakh for the next of kin of the persons who lost their lives in the incident, the Odisha government announced only Rs 2 lakh each for the victims of the bus mishap.
Moreover, Das also mentioned about the stampede at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in which as many as 12 persons were killed and several others injured earlier this month. An ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for the next of kin of those who died in the stampede had been announced by the Jammu & Kashmir Lt Governor.
Comparing both the incidents with the bus mishap and the ex-gratia amount announced by the respective governments, Das demanded the Odisha government to raise the ex-gratia amount and compensate the victims’ families from Chief Minister Relief Fund without any hesitation.
"The Odisha government should realise the value of every life. Instead of just focusing on campaigning or advertising, the government should stand with the family of the victims and compensate them that will aid them at the time of crisis. The government should hike the ex-gratia amount," demanded Das.