Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in an accident in Koraput district late last night.
The PM also announced Rs 50,000 to those who have sustained serious injuries in the mishap. The amount will be released from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh each from Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund would be given to the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the unfortunate road accident in Koraput, Odissa. Rs. 50,000 would be given to those seriously injured,” PMO tweeted.
Nine women were killed and 13 others injured after the pick-up van they were travelling in overturned on National Highway-326 near Murtahandi under Kotpad police limits in Koraput district on Sunday night.
The Prime Minister has earlier expressed grief over the loss of lives in the accident. In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "My thoughts are with all those who have lost their dear ones in the tragic accident at Koraput, Odisha. I hope those injured recover at the earliest."
According to sources, all the victims were residents of Kulta village under Bastar district of Chhattisgarh and returning home after attending 10th day ritual of a person at Sindhiguda village in Kotpad. On the way, the driver lost control over the wheels and hit a roadside. The vehicle overturned later.
While seven persons died on the spot, two others succumbed at Kotpad community health centre. Similarly, 13 others were injured in the mishap.
Speaking about the mishap, Koraput SP Varun Guntupalli said, “The driver of the pick-up van is absconding we will arrest him soon. I spoke to Bastar SP and further investigation is underway.”
SDPO of Bastar said, “Generally, pick-up vans are not permitted to carry a large number of people. We will take action in this regard as per law and cancel the license of the driver.”
Expressing concern over the accident, Nabarangpur MP Ramesh Majhi said, “As such mishaps are frequent, measures should be taken to stop its reoccurrence in future. Checking of vehicles need to be conducted regularly to ensure that such mishaps do not occur frequently.”