NTPCtollhits29, VIPsthrongsite
State orders magisterial probe; Centre constitutes investigation team led by NTPC executive director
RAE BARELI/LUCKNOW:
The next of kin of those killed in a boiler explosion at NTPC’s Unchahar plant in Uttar Pradesh’s Rae Bareli district on Wednesday will get a compensation of ₹ 20 lakh, Union power minister RK Singh said on Thursday.
The state administration has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident, while the Centre has also constituted a probe team headed by the NTPC executive director, amid demands for a judicial probe. A massive explosion had ripped a boiler pipe at NTPC’s Unchahar plant on Wednesday, with chief secretary Rajive Kumar confirming 29 deaths in the incident.
“I am of the view that the ex-gratia announced earlier was not enough. Compensation of ₹20 lakh will be given to the next of kin of those who died in the accident, while the seriously injured will get ₹10 lakh. Those who sustained minor injuries will be given ₹2 lakh,” Singh said. This amount is in addition to the relief provided under the workmen compensation rules, he said.
“The Centre has constituted a committee to probe the incident. The NTPC executive director will head the probe committee and submit report within 30 days,” minister for energy Shrikant Sharma, who visited the site along with Singh, said.
In addition, Prime Minister Na rend ra Mo di also approved an ex- gratia payment of ₹ 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased, the PMO announced on Twitter. Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath said ₹2 lakh would be given to the families of those killed, ₹50,000 for the grievously injured and ₹25,000 for other injured workers.
Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has issued a notice to the UP government and sought a detailed report within six weeks. The commission observed that a high-level probe was required to ascertain negligence and errors, if any, so that such tragedies did not recur in future. The state government was directed to take utmost care to see that the families of the deceased were suitably compensated and the best treatment was given to the injured.
Uttar Pradesh deputy chief minister Dinesh Sharma, who visited the site, termed the incident gory and saddening. “Our priority at this point is that proper treatment should be ensured for the injured. We stand by the families in their hour of grief,” he said.
Several political leaders visited the site, including Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi, who cut short his election campaign in Gujarat. “A judicial inquiry should be conducted into the incident. This is the demand of labourers. Forensic experts should also visit the site to col- le ct samples and guilty should be punished,” Gandhi said after meeting the kin of the deceased.
Rae Bareli is the Lok Sabha constituency of Gandhi’s mother, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, who could not visit the site as she is reportedly unwell. Rahul visited two private hospitals and the mortuary, apart from the accident site.
Two NT PC executives were on Thursday airlifted to Delhi for treatment. About 50 workers with more than 70% burns have already been shifted to different hospitals in Lucknow.
WORKERS PROTEST
Colleagues of the mishap victims continued to stage a protest at the NTPC gate, even though district magistrate Sanjay Khatri tried to pacify the largely contract labourers.
Recalling the incident, con- tract labourer Sohan Lal said: ”I had a spade in my hand and was working near the blast site. Suddenly, a very loud sound shook the plant, which soon got covered with a cloud of fumes. All I remember is bodies and body parts scattered all around.” Another worker said, “There was no proper channel for exit of ash and authorities forced completion of work in two years instead off our to get promotion .”