Bengal CM Adhikari announces Rs 4 lakh ex-gratia for kin of deceased killed in thunderstorm
Kolkata, May 29
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Friday announced compensation of Rs 4,00,000 for each of the families of seven people in the sudden thunderstorms in the state.
These seven persons died due to lightning, electrocution and house collapse during thunderstorms in mainly Kolkata, Howrah, North 24 Parganas, South 24 Parganas, Hooghly and Purulia.
The bodies of the deceased victims had been sent for post-mortem.
Speaking to the media persons on Friday evening, Chief Minister Adhikari also claimed that the compensation will be provided to those who were injured because of the natural calamity which took place earlier in the afternoon.
"Right now, we are giving priority to the treatment of those injured. The state government will also provide financial assistance to those whose houses have been damaged because of the natural calamity. I understand that no death can be compensated by any amount. But it is the duty of the state government to stand by the family members of those killed in the natural calamity," the Chief Minister told media persons.
The Chief Minister also said that the team led by Minister Agnimitra Paul had been entrusted with the task of monitoring the situation in this season of norwester.
"The officials and staff of the state disaster management department had been kept on high alert," he added.
The sudden norwesters on Friday afternoon mainly impacted the South Bengal districts like South 24 Parganas, North 24 Parganas, Howrah, Hooghly, West Midnapore, East Midnapore, Purulia and the state capital of Kolkata.
In Kolkata, several trees were uprooted and internet services were temporarily impacted in certain pockets in the city because of the sudden norwesters.
The Kolkata Municipal Corporation authorities are operating on an emergency basis to removed the uprooted trees and clear the road.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a good step by CM Adhikari, but I'm worried about the delay in relief. These thunderstorms happen every year in Bengal, and we still see tree falls and power cuts. Instead of just compensation after deaths, why not invest in better disaster preparedness? Insulated shelters, tree pruning before monsoon, and early warning systems could save lives. 🙏
I appreciate the quick response from the state government, but I'm skeptical. In the past, many families didn't get the promised compensation for months due to paperwork delays. The CM should ensure that the process is transparent and fast-tracked. Also, what about the families whose homes were damaged? They need immediate shelter, not just future payments.
It's good that the CM is personally addressing this, but I hope this isn't just a photo op. The real test is whether the money reaches the bereaved families. In countries like Australia, there are systems in place that provide instant temporary housing for affected families. We need similar infrastructure here. Still, 4 lakh per family is better than nothing. 🙏
Thunderstorms are becoming more frequent due to climate change, yet our disaster management is still reactive rather than proactive. Why is there no flood warning system for South Bengal? Why are power lines still hanging dangerously? The CM should look at long-term solutions like underground cabling and better building codes. 4 lakh is just a band-aid on a deep wound.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.