GoM asks MP govt to release compensation to Bhopal gas victims

New Delhi, Mar 24 (PTI) A high-powered committee on
Thursday asked the government of Madhya Pradesh, a state in
central India, to release compensation to those victims of the
1984 Bhopal gas tragedy who are yet to receive any money from
the government.
The Group of Ministers (GoM) on the Bhopal gas
disaster, chaired by Home Minister P Chidambaram, also gave
its in-principle approval for construction of a memorial at
the disaster site if no toxic material is found there.
"The GoM asked Madhya Pradesh government to release
compensation by June to those victims who are yet to receive
any money," Madhya Pradesh Minister for Relief and
Rehabilitation Babulal Gaur told reporters after the GoM
meeting.
The Centre has already given Rs 200 crore as
compensation to the victims. It has also moved to the Supreme
Court seeking enhancment of compensation from Rs 750 crore to
Rs 7,700 crore for the victims of the tragedy in which more
than 5000 people were killed due to leakage of poisonous gas
from the Union Carbide factory.
He said the GoM has given its in-principle approval to
the state government's plea to construct a memorial at the
site. However, he said, a team of the Ministry of Environment
would have to give a clearance after examination that there
was no toxic material there.
"We have been asked to submit a detailed plan about
the memorial," Gaur said.
Gaur said the GoM also asked the state government to
submit a plan for purchase of medicine and medical equipment
for the Bhopal memorial hospital.
Sources said though the issue of extradition of the
then chief of Union Carbide Warren Anderson figured in the
meeting, no decision has been taken as the matter was sub
judice.
A Delhi court Wednesday allowed the CBI's plea for
extradition of former Union Carbide Corporation chairman
Warren M Anderson, an accused in the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy
case, from the United States, saying that "sentiments of the
disaster-hit people" is linked to it.