Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday expressed grief over the bus accident which killed at least 12 people in Odisha’s Ganjam district, and announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to the next of kin of each deceased.
The ex-gratia would be released from the Prime Minister’s national relief fund. The injured would be given Rs.50,000 each, the PMO said in a tweet.
“Pained by the bus accident in Ganjam district, Odisha. Condolences to those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon. 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 PM @narendramodi,” the tweet said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has also expressed anguish over the road accident in Digapahandi. He expressed condolence to the family members of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
“Anguished by the tragic road accident in Digapahandi (Odisha) that claimed precious lives. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with their family members. May the Almighty give them the strength to bear this. I also pray for the speedy recovery of the injured,” Shah said in a tweet.
Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has announced ex-gratia of Rs 3 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased. He also announced free medical treatment for the injured victims.
Naveen has also directed Finance Minister Bikram Keshari Arukha and Berhampur MLA Bikram Panda to rush to the site to monitor the situation.
At least 12 members of a marriage party were killed, and several others sustained injuries as a private bus carrying them collided head-on with an OSRTC bus near Digapahandi on the Berhampur-Taptapani road in Ganjam district in the wee hours of Monday.
