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PM Modi Announces ₹2 Lakh Ex-Gratia for Palam Fire Victims, Death Toll Rises

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia payment of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased and ₹50,000 for those injured in the Palam residential building fire. The fire, suspected to be caused by a short circuit, has claimed nine lives and left three injured. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed her condolences and appealed to party workers to assist the victims. Rescue operations by the NDRF and Delhi Fire Services are described as challenging due to internal damage to the building.

Key Points: Palam Fire: PM Modi Announces Ex-Gratia, Death Toll at 9

  • PM announces financial aid from PMNRF
  • Death toll rises to nine, three injured
  • Fire caused by suspected short circuit
  • Congress's Priyanka Gandhi appeals for help
  • NDRF cites challenging rescue operation
3 min read

PM Modi announces ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for deceased and Rs 50,000 for injured in Palam fire

PM Modi announces ₹2 lakh for kin of deceased, ₹50k for injured in Delhi's Palam fire. Congress's Priyanka Gandhi offers condolences. Rescue ops ongoing.

"The fire incident in Palam, Delhi, is saddening. I extend my condolences... - PMO statement"

New Delhi, March 18

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased in the Palam residential building fire.

Expressing his deepest condolences on the unfortunate incident, the PM announced Rs 50,000 ex-gratia to the injured from the Prime Minister National Relief Fund.

"The fire incident in Palam, Delhi, is saddening. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover at the earliest. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000," the PMO wrote on X.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi expressed condolences on the incident and hopes for the recovery of the injured. She requested the Congress members to extend help to the victims.

"The news of the deaths of several people due to a fire in Palam, Delhi, is extremely heartbreaking. May God grant peace to the departed souls. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured. I appeal to the leaders and workers of the Congress Party to help the victims as much as possible," she said.

The fire broke out in a residential building in the Sadh Nagar area of Palam, allegedly due to a short circuit in the wee hours of Wednesday. Delhi Fire Services, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police and other agencies are engaged in relief work.

The death toll in the fire has risen to nine, while three people have been reported injured so far, according to fire officers.

Eight of the deceased, namely Pravesh (33), Kamal (39), Ashu (35), Lado (70), Himanshi (22) and three minor girls aged 15, 6, and 3 years, were declared dead in Manipal Hospital.

Meanwhile, one female, Deepika (28), was declared brought dead in IGI hospital, where two people, Anil (32) and a girl (2) are undergoing treatment.

Another man named Sachin (29) is admitted to Safdarjung Hospital with approx. 25% burn injuries.

Speaking to ANI, National Disaster Relief Force Deputy Inspector Vicky Ranga said that the rescue operation is challenging as the blaze has damaged the building from the inside.

"We arrived at the spot within 10 minutes, and Delhi fire service and other agencies were trying to extinguish the fire... We removed two dead bodies from there. The building is damaged from the inside... and doing a rescue operation in such a building is a big challenge... Nearby buildings have been evacuated," he said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
While the financial assistance is appreciated, Rs. 2 lakh feels inadequate for a life lost. The government should also ensure long-term support for the families, like education for the children of the deceased and proper medical care for the injured.
P
Priya S
It's good to see the PM and opposition leaders coming together to express condolences in such a painful time. The real tribute would be to strictly enforce building safety codes so no family has to go through this again. Jai Hind.
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Aman W
The speed of the response from NDRF and fire services is commendable. They are true heroes. But the mention of short circuit is worrying. In so many colonies, the wiring is decades old. This needs a massive upgrade drive from the municipal corporation.
K
Kavya N
Om Shanti. The list of names and ages is heartbreaking. A 3-year-old, a 6-year-old... what a loss. The compensation is a formality. What these families need is sustained psychological and community support to heal from this trauma.
M
Michael C
Respectfully, announcing relief after a disaster is reactive. A proactive policy would involve mandatory fire safety equipment (extinguishers, alarms) in all multi-story residential buildings, with heavy penalties for non-compliance. Prevention is better than compensation.

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