Bhopal gas disaster GoM discusses legal options

New Delhi, June 19 (PTI) Meeting for the second day in a
row, India's Group of Ministers (GoM) on Bhopal gas tragedy
Saturday discussed legal options available in the aftermath of
the trial court judgement and reached "some tentative
conclusions".

"We discussed all pending legal issues and legal options
available to the government after the judgement of trial
court," said Home Minister P Chidambaram, who heads to the
reconstituted GoM, after its meeting here.
"We heard all concerned and reached some tentative
conclusions," he told reporters but did not give details.
He said "these conclusions" will be firmed up in the
report to be submitted to Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
on Monday.
The nine-member GoM was reconstituted on June 7 amid
raging controversy over the quantum of punishment given to
those accused in the case, with the political class in unison
terming it as "too little, too late".
It began its meetings on Friday.
Among various issues, the GoM is considering increase in
compensation for those affected by the 1984 disaster.
The Planning Commission has already approved a package
of Rs 982 crore for the gas disaster victims.
Chidambaram said the GoM, at the next meeting this
evening, will discuss issues relating to health and how to
bring healthcare to people who have suffered and "perhaps
continue to suffer".
Issues related to drinking water will also be discussed.
The Prime Minister has directed the GoM to expedite its
work and asked it on June 14 to submit report within 10 days.
PTI ACB