Kolkata, Apr 30 (UNI) Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia for the victims of the Kolkata fire, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said that the state government would provide ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
“State Government will give an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased, while the injured persons will get 50,000 each,” the Chief Minister wrote on her X handle.
“Continuing to monitor the fallout of the unfortunate fire incident at a private hotel (Rituraj) in the BurraBazar area and appreciate the Fire Services' and police efforts in rescuing around 99 persons from out of most adverse circumstances,” she wrote.
Reiterating my condolences and solidarity, Mamata wrote, “Also thankful to the local people for their cooperation and help in rescue operations. It has been preliminarily reported to me that those who died were victims of suffocation/ jumping etc. Further investigations are going on.”
The announcement comes shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled the loss of 14 lives in a fire at Burrabazar in Kolkata's central business district and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured from the PMNRF (Prime Minister National Relief Fund).
“Anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire mishap in Kolkata. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon,” the Prime Minister wrote on his official X handle.
“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakhs from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” he added.
Earlier, the Chief Minister, who was in Digha for the inauguration of the newly constructed Jagannath Temple, contacted Mayor Firhad Hakim and the Kolkata Police Commissioner to inquire about the tragic fire.
In a message shared on her X handle, she expressed her sorrow, stating, "My heart goes out to the victims of the fire incident that occurred at a private hotel (Rituraj) in the BurraBazar area."
Mamata mentioned that she had been closely monitoring the rescue and firefighting operations throughout the night and had mobilized additional fire brigade services to the area.
In one of the most devastating fires in recent memory, 14 people lost their lives on Tuesday night at a hotel near Falpatti Machhua in Burrabazar, central Kolkata. Preliminary investigation has revealed that those killed were not burned but were choked by the thick smoke within the building.
Kolkata police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the matter.
BJP, however criticised the Chief Minister for her insensitivity. ““Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already announced Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.
In contrast, the state government remains silent. Twelve hours after the fire broke out, the words of condolence from Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee appear insincere and insensitive,” BJP IT chief and co-incharge for Bengal Amit Malviya had written on his X handle.
UNI XC CS