Bhopal gas leak activists, victims protest compensation

BHOPAL - Victims of the Bhopal gas leak protested here on Wednesday over the anomalies in the compensation package finalised by the Group of Ministers (GoM) for the victims.

The affected areas were divided into wards by the government for the distribution of the compensation package.

“We had urged the GoM during their meetings that 575,000 victims should get the compensation. Giving compensation to the deceased’s kin is a welcome step but the dead are gone, the surviving victims are living in much difficulty. They have no money to survive. The government has also not been able to give them employment,” said Aarif Masud, member of Bhopal Gas Peedit Nyay Morcha, an organistation working for the Bhopal gas victims.

The protestors said that while the extradition of former Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson is important, providing correct compensation for survivors was equally important.

“Even after 25 years of the gas leak, the victims are living dead. They are suffering from various ailments. They are not getting any treatment. The government has not given them any compensation yet. All of them should be given compensation; all the surviving victims should get compensation,” said Abdul Nasif, president of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Nyay Morcha.

Earlier, the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram held four sessions to deliberate on areas that require attention for providing relief to people affected by the disaster.

It recommended a payment of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the dead.

Those permanently disabled or suffering from critical ailments arising out of the deadly methyl isocyanate gas leak are likely to get Rs five lakh, while those partially debilitated will get Rs three lakh. (ANI)