New Delhi , November 18
The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for the sanction of additional Rs 71.28 crore as ex-gratia payment for the Bhopal gas victims. In another decision the Union Cabinet also approved the setting up of an Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) to undertake impartial and objective assessment of the various public programmes. The approvals came at the meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The additional payment approval came as per the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster.

According to the recommendations, ex-gratia payment would be made to an additional 1,703 cases of permanent disability. These victims would be given Rs five lakh each. There was also approval for another 1,783 cases of temporary disability, who would be paid Rs one lakh each, after adjustment of compensation amount already received by these victims. There would also be payment of ex-gratia to 42 cases of 'injury of utmost severity’ of Rs five lakh , after adjustment of compensation amount already received.

This ex-gratia amount is in addition to 669 crore which the government has already provided for payment to the specified categories of Bhopal Gas victims as per its decision in June this year.