By IANS
New Delhi : The defence ministry has sanctioned initial assistance of Rs.100 million for the victims of a devastating fire earlier this month in an ammunition depot in Jammu and Kashmir, it was announced Wednesday.
Defence Minister A.K. Antony took the decision to release the money at a meeting of senior officials here Tuesday night.
“This is just the first step. We are extremely concerned over the loss of means of livelihood and property due to the fire and have decided on a series of measures to provide compensation and relief to the victims,” Defence Secretary Vijay Singh told reporters here Tuesday night.
Singh, who travelled to Kashmir’s summer capital Srinagar Wednesday to discuss the ground situation in the wake of the fire, was speaking on the sidelines of a function where Antony felicitated two Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots who have created a new world record for circumnavigating the globe in a microlight aircraft in 80 days.
Massive explosions in the Khandroo Field Ammunition Depot (FOD), some 65 km from Srinagar, Aug 11 resulted in the entire complex catching fire, creating fear and panic among residents of 18 villages around the camp.
Intermittent explosions and the billowing smoke from the ammunition depot continued for more than a day.
Sixteen people were killed and 40 wounded in the accident.
“The money that has now been released will be adjusted against the final payment to be made towards compensation to the state government,” Singh said.
“We have also worked out the compensation norms for the people inhabiting areas adjacent to the ammunition depot,” he added.
“Those whose pucca (permanent) houses have been completely destroyed will get Rs.150,000. Those whose kutcha (temporary or makeshift) houses have been completely destroyed will get compensation of Rs.50,000,” Singh said.
For partially damaged houses, the compensation will be Rs.50,000 per permanent structure and Rs.25,000 per temporary structure.
The compensation for damage to crops, fruit trees, orchards, perennial crops and for cattle and birds killed will be under the norms laid down by the home ministry for assistance from the Calamity Relief Fund, Singh pointed out.
An officer nominated by the Kashmir chief secretary will assess the damage and will work out the compensation payable in individual cases.
The families of those killed are also being paid Rs.250,000 each, of which Rs.150,000 is being given by the army and Rs.100,000 by the state government.