GUWAHATI, Jan 19: Assam Mines and Minerals Minister Kaushik Rai on Saturday distributed Rs 10 Lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of the four deceased who lost their lives at the coal mine incident at Kalamati, 3-kilo under Umrangso town in Assam’s Dima Hasao district.
The distribution was done in presence of Debolal Gorlosa, Chief Executive Member (CEM) North Cachar Hills Autonomous Coucil.
The distribution programme was organized at the premises of Umrangso Police Station. The ex-gratia cheques of Rs 10 Lakh were given to to the families of the four deceased persons. Families of the other five persons who are trapped in the mine holes and are yet to be recovered also received Rs 6 Lakh as ex-gratia during Saturday’s function and the remaining 4 lakh rupees would be distributed later.
It is to be noted the Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma had on Thursday announced after the cabinet meeting that Rs 10 Lakh ex-gratia will be offered to each of the deceased families as well as to the families of the other five persons who are yet to be found whether they are found dead or alive.
Rs 6 Lakh has been given from the Assam Chief Minister’s Relief Fund while the remaining Rs 4 lakh was given from the Assam State Disaster
Management Authority.
Minister Kausik Rai also conveyed the condolence message of Assam Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma to the bereaved families of the Umrangso coal mine tragedy.
“It is really painful that such an unfortunate incident has occurred where lives have been lost. Although value of live is immeasurable and the ex-gratia that we are offering today is nothing in comparison to lives lost, the small amount is only to support the bereaved families and show our solidarity,” Minister Rai said.
He also said that the dewatering process is still going on and that around one crore litres of water is being extracted everyday, adding that there still is a lot of water inside the mines.
He also said that a Special Investigation Team (SIT) will be constituted to inquire into the entire incident on the basis of the FIR already registered on the matter which is to be monitored by Retd. Justice Anima Hazarika.
