11 Dec : With a view to distribute ex-gratia amount to the claimants of Bhopal Gas Tragedy the hearing by the claim courts will start from December 15. The ex-gratia payment will be given only to those who are the legal dependents of the dead in gas tragedy and to those who are permanently disabled, seriously injured, and have earlier received compensation and pro rata compensation. No fresh case of claim will be entertained. These claimants are advised to open a bank account on their names. The ex-gratia amount will be distributed in around 48 thousand claim cases.
The office of the Welfare Commissioner of Bhopal Gas Tragedy will give the ex-gratia amount after hearing the case at the claim court. The above claimants are asked to open a bank account in any one of the 8 banks already decided for this purpose. If any claimant had earlier opened account in the bank, he should renew it and produce the proof at the claim court. Only after that, orders for ex-gratia payment will be issued to the claimant.
The Banks
The banks where the ex-gratia amount will be deposited are: State Bank of India, Canara Bank, Punjab National Bank, Allahabad Bank, Bank of Baroda, Union Bank, Bank of India and Dena Bank. The claimant should open account in any one of the above banks.
48 thousand ex-gratia cases
Only around 48 thousand gas-hit or their dependents will get the ex-gratia amount. The compensation amount already given earlier will be adjusted against the ex-gratia. Out of the somewhat 48 thousand cases, 5 thousand 295 cases are of death. Dependents of these dead gas hit persons will be given a total Rs 10 lakh. Likewise, ex-gratia payment will be given to 4 thousand 902 cases of the permanently disabled. They will get a total Rs 5 lakh each. At the rate of a total Rs one lakh will be given to 35 thousand 455 temporary disabled gas hit persons and for those 42 persons who have sustained serious injuries, a total Rs 5 lakh will be given.
How to get information about hearing
Notice to the eligible gas hit will be sent by speed post seven days before the date of hearing to their last-known address. Those who want to change their addresses will have to give application to this effect to the office of the Gas Hit Welfare Commissioner, in front of the Old Vidhan Sabha.
Advise to keep away from middlemen
In this connection the process of payment has been simplified and made easy. Therefore, the claimants are advised to keep away from the middlemen. The claimants should keep ready the former pro rata order, final order, bank identity certificate, bank pass book, and identification certificate/card of self which include electoral identity card issued by the Election Commission, Ration Card, Passport etc. After getting the notice the claimant should personally be present in front of the authority concerned. After checking the documents orders to deposit the ex-gratia amount in the bank account of the claimant will be issued.
All preparations completed
All necessary preparations for distributing ex-gratia amount have been completed. The district collector and superintendent of police have ensured full security. The Bhopal Municipal Corporation, electricity board and the gas relief department have completed other necessary formalities.