Pratapgarh (UP): Traveling across villages,
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday met the families of victims
of the stampede, that left 63 women and children dead, sharing
their grief and assuring them of quick disbursement of the ex
gratia of Rs two lakhs announced by the central government.
The Congress general secretary, who arrived here via
Allahabad, drove to Peer Nagar, Itauri, Mohammadpur, Mavai,
Biraseen and Mai Ka Purva villages, visiting the bereaved
families.
25 people from these villages died in the stampede
yesterday.
Congress spokesman Akhilesh Pratap Singh told PTI in
Lucknow that Rahul, besides extending condolences, also
comforted the families saying that he would ensure that the
ex gratia of Rs two lakhs reached them soon and no one was
left out.
The Congress general secretary also visited Mawaikala
village and met the families of four children who lost their
life in the incident, that occurred during distribution of
food at an ashram.
Satyanarain, a villager of Itaura, where Rahul visited
said the Congress leader had given his mobile number to the
bereaved families to contact him in case of any problem.
Congress sources said the party would demand of Rs.
five lakh as ex gratia for the deceased from the state
government.
"Rahul wanted it to be a low-profile visit as it was
sombre occasion. So, nobody was informed. Arrangements were
made at the last moment," a close aide of the Amethi MP said
in Delhi.
Later, Rahul left for Allahabad from where he would leave
for New Delhi, Singh added.
State will compensate kin of victims if Centre fails: Mayawati
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister
Mayawati on Friday said if the kin of the victims of the stampede
in Pratapgarh do not get financial assistance from the Centre
at the earliest, the state government would give the
compensation from its resources.
In an official release issued here today, Mayawati
said if the Centre failed to respond, the state government
would then provide the assistance on its own.
She said under the present provisions of the Central
Relief Fund, relief could be provided in case of a natural
calamity only.
Mayawati said she has directed her party MPs to meet
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and request him that provisions
should be made in the CRF to provide relief in such
unfortunate incidents as well.
She said a high-level inquiry has already been instituted
into yesterday's incident and effective action would be
initiated as soon as the report is received from the
divisional commissioner, the release added.
PTI
First Published: Saturday, March 06, 2010, 00:16