` 75L EXTRA AID FOR SRISAILAM FIRE VICTIMS’ KIN

D. Prabhakar Rao, Transco and Genco CMD, on Saturday announced additional ex gratia of `75 lakh each to the nine persons killed in the fire mishap that occurred at the Srisailam Left Bank hydroelectric power house last month. He said that a decision in this regard was taken at the Genco board meeting at Vidyut Soudha.

He said with the additional ex gratia the family of deputy engineer Srinivas Goud who died in the fire will get a total quantum of financial assistance of `1.25 crore, and the family members of the other victims `1 crore each.

He said one person from each bereaved family will be provided with a job in addition to all department wise benefits.

Prabhakar Rao said that the board held a detailed review of the accident and offered condolences to the bereaved families. Principal secretaries Ramakrishna of finance and Sandeep Sultania of energy participated in the meeting. The board unanimously decided to consider the incident as a very special case and offer compensation accordingly.

Prabhakar Rao said, “It was an unfortunate incident that took the lives of our colleagues in a very cruel way. No matter what we say about their courage in the last few seconds of their life, we can’t bring them back. But we can try to alleviate the pain endured by the families. This is the reason the Genco has decided to add our share of assistance to what the government has already declared.”