Addl aid sought for Bhopal gas tragedy victims with cancer, kidney disorders

Four organisations working for those affected by the Bhopal gas tragedy on Saturday said they have filed a writ petition in the Supreme Court, seeking additional compensation for victims suffering from cancer and kidney disorders. A total of 5,479 people were killed and more than five lakh were affected physically following a toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide factory here in 1984.

Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangathan president Rashida Bee said, “Ninety per cent of the 11,278 survivors who were diagnosed with cancers and 91% of 1,855 survivors diagnosed with fatal kidney diseases have only received Rs 25,000 as compensation apart from ex-gratia.”

Citing SC orders of 1991 and 2023, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha president Nawab Khan claimed the SC has said any shortfall in compensation to the Bhopal gas tragedy victims must be made good by the Centre. “Our plea for additional compensation of at least Rs 5 lakh for survivors diagnosed with cancers and fatal kidney diseases is to rectify what is a clear case of shortfall," he said.