Modi announces ex-gratia payment to Meghalaya truck crash victims
Shillong, March 8 (IANS) Meghalaya Home Minister Horju Donkupar Roy Lyngdoh told the state assembly on Wednesday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment for the victims of a major February road accident.
On February 26, a total of 19 people were killed and 57 injured in a truck accident at Jadohkhroh area in the state's West Khasi Hills district.
Replying to a Zero Notice brought by opposition Hill State People's Democratic Party legislator K.P. Pangniang, Lyngdoh said the Prime Minister has sanctioned Rs 2 lakh each to the next of kin of those killed and Rs 50,000 each to the injured persons from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.
The Home Minister also announced that the state government has decided to sanction an ex-gratia payment of Rs 50,000 to the family of each deceased and Rs 10,000 each to the injured.
Lyngdoh said that the driver of the ill-fated truck has been booked for negligence and rash driving and would be arrested after his discharge from the hospital, where he is convalescing.
--IANS
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