8 families get compensation

Manmeet Singh Gill
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, October 23

The government on Tuesday distributed compensation of Rs 5 lakh each among the family members of eight, who died in the train accident near Joda Phatak. A day before, 21 families were issued compensation cheques. The tragedy has claimed 58 lives.

Meanwhile, Jalandhar Division Commissioner B Pursharath, who is heading the magisterial inquiry, said eyewitnesses could get their statements recorded before them from October 25 to 29. He said people could do so at the office of the Amritsar Improvement Trust (AIT) from 11 am to 4 pm.

The compensation cheques to the dependents of the deceased were given by Forest Minister Sadhu Singh Dharamsot, Revenue Minister Sukhbinder Singh Sarkaria and Local Bodies Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kamaldeep Singh Sangha, Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) Sunil Dutti and Raj Kumar Verka were also present.

Speaking on the occasion, Sarkaria said cheques to the remaining families would be issued within a day or two. Though money cannot replace the loss of lives, it at least would help them make a fresh start, he said, adding that efforts would be made for rehabilitation of the victim families.

Meanwhile, three injured patients from the Jallianwala Bagh Martyrs Memorial Civil Hospital and two from the GMC were discharged on Tuesday. GMC Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Surinder Paul said all patients were on the path of recovery. He hoped that they would be fit for discharge soon.