New Delhi, August 29
The centre has sanctioned Rs 10 crore for the victims of a devastating fire earlier this month in an ammunition depot in Jammu and Kashmir, according to an official announcement.
Union defence minister A.K. Antony took the decision to release the money at a meeting of senior officials here last night.
“This is just the first step. We are extremely concerned over the loss of means of livelihood and property due to the fire and have decided on a series of measures to provide compensation and relief to the victims,” defence secretary Vijay Singh told mediapersons here.
Massive explosions in the Khandroo field ammunition depot, around 65 km from Srinagar, on August 11 resulted in the entire complex catching fire, spreading fear and panic among residents of 18 villages around the camp. Sixteen persons lost their lives, while 40 received injuries in the mishap.
“The money that has now been released will be adjusted against the final payment to be made towards compensation to the state government,” Singh said.
Those whose permanent houses have been completely destroyed will get Rs 1.5 lakh, while those whose temporary or makeshift accommodation has been destroyed will get a compensation of Rs 50,000.
For partially damaged houses, the compensation will be Rs 50,000 per permanent structure and Rs 25,000 per temporary structure.
Under the estimates of the defence ministry, around 1,000 houses were damaged and 3,000 hectares of land with standing fruit and paddy crop affected.
The compensation for damage to crops, fruit trees, orchards, perennial crops and death of cattle and birds will be given under the norms laid down by the home ministry for assistance from the calamity relief fund.
An officer nominated by the Kashmir chief secretary will assess the damage and work out the compensation payable in individual cases.
The families of those killed are being paid Rs 2.5 lakh each, of which Rs 1.5 lakh is being given by the Army and Rs 1 lakh by the state government.
