Hisar MP seeks hike in relief for victims of train mishaps

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 26

Hisar MP Dushyant Chautala today demanded hike in compensation for victims of train accidents from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 10 lakh in case of death by creating a special rail victims compensation fund.

He also demanded that the compensation for those injured in accidents should be increased from earlier ranging between Rs 32,000 and Rs 4 lakh to Rs 1 lakh and Rs 5 lakh. In a letter to Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu, Dushyant demanded that the fund could be created by levying 1 per cent additional charge on fare of the tickets. “In 2014, a total of 190 passengers died in train accidents, whereas thousands were injured. 84 deaths occurred in 2015. Every loss of life brings not only pain and agony to victims’ families, but also leads to loss of breadwinners in the families,” he said.

He said the compensation provided to the victims was grossly inadequate and it needed to be revised. He said during discussions on the Railway Budget in 2015, he too had suggested creation of the fund for victims by imposing additional charges on tickets.