1081 victims of 11th
July 2006 Mumbai bomb blast at last seem
to get healing hand. Consistent
efforts, follow up and monitoring of the
National Human Rights Commission and
Maharashtra State Human Rights
Commission has helped the victims to get
the financial compensation. It may be
noted that BJP leaders Dr. Kirit Somaiya,
Shri Gopal Shetty, Shri Parag Alawani
along with victims had approached the
Human Rights Commission on 14th
August 2006.
As per the response from
Western Railway to Dr. Kirit Somaiya,
out of 1081 victims, 1067 victims have
been paid the financial compensation.
Railway has offered Rs.5 lac to the dead
and Rs.50,000 to the grievously
injured.
It is a pity that the
State Govt. has taken unduly long time
to disburse the ex-gratia (immediate
payment). 212 grievously injured
persons get Rs.50,000 compensation from
the State Govt. only a couple of months
back, i.e. after a struggle of 18 to 22
months.
It is sad that, in spite
of making several statements, commitment
in the Legislature, State Govt. has not
spent a single paise for the medical
treatment, surgery, artificial limbs for
the 573 grievously injured victims.
Dr. Somaiya has expressed
satisfaction about the Railways that at
least after struggle and Human Rights
Commission directives, they have made
arrangements for “immediate medical
treatment/expenses”. Railway has spent
Rs.3.45 crores for the medical
treatment.
It may be noted that 2
victims are yet in coma :
1.
Shri Parag Sawant –
Hinduja Hospital
2.
Shri Amit Singh – Jaslok
Hospital
Special Bench at Railway
Claims Tribunal
It is a record. It may
be noted that, out of 1081, 742 victims
filed their claims/cases at the Railway
Claims Tribunal, VT, Mumbai. Till now,
711 claims have been settled. Payments
have been disbursed to 700 victims,.
This has become possible only due to the
formation of Special Bench at Mumbai
RCT. The Special Bench was formed due
to the intervention of Hon’ble Shri L.K.
Advani. Shri Advaniji has taken special
interest in the relief and
rehabilitation measures. He had taken
up the issue with the Prime Minister,
Railway Board Chairman and others.
The sad part is about the
rehabilitation of providing employment
to the kin of the dead and permanently
disabled persons. Out of 186 dead and
around 73 disabled, Railway has offered
job only to 70, that too of D category,
i.e. substitute peon, porter, etc. The
remuneration is around Rs.4,000 to
Rs.6,000 per month. It may be noted
that the blast had taken place in the
First Class compartments. Offering such
jobs had hurt the people.
