Raj CM Sharma announces enhanced ex-gratia for Jaisalmer bus fire victims

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Thursday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of every victim who died in a fire in an AC sleeper coach in Jaisalmer.

As per the official announcement made in this connection, families that have lost three or more members would be given the ex-gratia of Rs 25 lakh for their loss, a CMO release said.

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Besides this, seriously injured passengers of the ill-fated bus would be paid ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each, and persons with mild injuries would get Rs 1 lakh each, the release said.

Chief Minister Sharma has granted the enhanced ex-gratia to victims in this case, relaxing the norms of the CM Relief Fund, an official spokesman said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already granted ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh and Rs 50,000 for deceased and injured persons, respectively.
As many as 21 people died on Tuesday, and more than 14 passengers were injured in the fire, the cause of which was not yet to be ascertained.

However, certain issues like modification in the size, shape, and dimensions of the bus body are found. Accordingly, two officers of the Chittorgarh District Transport office, including the DTO, have been suspended for overlooking or allowing the modifications or other aspects while issuing the registration and fitness certificate.

The ill-fated bus is registered with the RTO Chittorgarh office. The incident occurred near Thaiyat village, about 20 km from Jaisalmer. Officials said it is still unclear what caused the fire, though eyewitnesses said it began at the rear of the bus and spread quickly.

Meanwhile, a five-member high-level committee has been constituted to check the technical norms and modifications made therein. A special drive to check these norms on the buses being plied on roads in the state has also been conducted. As many as 66 buses have so far been brought off the road for violating the norms.