Shimla: The National Green Tribunal has asked the Himachal Pradesh government to pay compensation to the kin of the victims of Una cracker factory blast, in which 11 people were killed. The tribunal has held the state liable to pay compensation to the heirs of the deceased at Rs 20 lakhs in respect of each of the deceased victims, Rs15 lakhs to persons who have burns in excess of 50%, Rs 10 lakhs for persons who have burns from 25 to 50% and Rs 5 lakhs for persons who have injuries between 5 to 25%. Victims who were treated as outpatients and who had but minor degree of burns or other forms of simple injuries are to be paid Rs 2 lakhs each.
The tribunal said this will be in addition to any ex-gratia payment made or which may be made. The tribunal said that such payments may be made by the state administration within one month, after due verification of identity through the district magistrate, Una.
The principal bench of tribunal in the order issued on Tuesday said that in the present case, facts stand verified by the state authorities and factual reports submitted by the deputy commissioner, Una, and also the state PCB can be safely relied upon. “From such reports, identity of the deceased and the injured is established. It is also clear that the same is attributable to the illegal hazardous activity, in violation of the environmental safety norms under the EP Act, 1986, including the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989. Thus, there is clear liability of the Project Proponents to compensate heirs of the deceased and the injured on restitution principle. Having regard to the helpless nature of victims, it is difficult for them to recover the amount directly,” it added.
The tribunal said this will be in addition to any ex-gratia payment made or which may be made. The tribunal said that such payments may be made by the state administration within one month, after due verification of identity through the district magistrate, Una.
The principal bench of tribunal in the order issued on Tuesday said that in the present case, facts stand verified by the state authorities and factual reports submitted by the deputy commissioner, Una, and also the state PCB can be safely relied upon. “From such reports, identity of the deceased and the injured is established. It is also clear that the same is attributable to the illegal hazardous activity, in violation of the environmental safety norms under the EP Act, 1986, including the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989. Thus, there is clear liability of the Project Proponents to compensate heirs of the deceased and the injured on restitution principle. Having regard to the helpless nature of victims, it is difficult for them to recover the amount directly,” it added.
