Rs 1.72 Cr Given to Rail Accident Victims

Visakhapatnam: Zilla Parishad chairman Majji Srinivasa Rao and Vizianagaram collector S. Nagamani distributed Rs 1.72 crore to the victims of Kantakapalli railway accident, at the government general hospital on Tuesday.

The two visited the patients and told them that they were giving cheques to them on the directions of Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, who announced the ex gratia and compensation on the day of the accident.

The collector told the patients that the entire treatment would be free as per instructions from the Chief Minister.

Initially the Chief Minister announced Rs 2 lakh for each of the injured. After interacting with the victim and observing their plight, the injured were categorised and the amount of compensation was enhanced.

He said the families of the deceased would be given Rs 10 lakh and those who suffered permanent disability would also be given Rs 10 lakh each. Those discharged within a month would be given Rs 2 lakh; and a sum of Rs 5 lakh for those who were hospitalised beyond one month.

Based on these categories, the district administration identified three persons for Rs 10 lakh, two for Rs 5 lakh and 11 for award of Rs 2 lakh payments.

The chairman said an amount of Rs 1.3 crore was deposited directly into the accounts of 13 families of the deceased. A sum of Rs 30 lakh would be given to those availing treatment in other hospitals.

Hospital superintendent Dr Anila Sunandini, district coordinator of health services Dr Gowri Shankar and medical college principal Dr Padma Leela were present.