NTPCtoll hits 30, VIPs throng site
GREY AREAS Twin probes ordered, families to get ₹24 lakh each 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 Wednesdsay will get a compensation amount 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 hasalso constituted aprobeteam 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, with chief secretary Rajive Kumar confirming 30 deaths.
“I am of the view that the ex-gratia which was earlier announced was not enough. ₹20 lakh compensation will be given to the next of kin of those who died in the accident, while the seriously injured will get ₹10 lakh and those who sustained minor injuries will be given ₹2 lakh,” Singh told reporters in Unchahar.
This amount is in addition to the compensation 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.
In addition, Prime Minister NarendraModialsoapprovedan ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh each for the families of the deceased, the PMO announced on Twitter.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also announced ₹2 lakh compensation for the families of those killed and ₹50,000 for the griev- ously injured besides ₹25,000 for the 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, behind the incident so that such tragedies did not recur in future.