SHILLONG: The State Government has announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 4 lakh to the family of each of the three persons who died after being crushed by a massive tree in the city on Saturday.
Easy Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner PS Dkhar said the money would be provided from the State Disaster fund.
The three victims were occupants of one of the vehicles which were crushed after the tree was uprooted near Raj Bhavan during last week’s heavy rain.
The victims are Crystal Gayle Kharnaior (23), daughter of city-based artist Raphael Warjri of Mawlai Nongkwar Block-V, Paul LB Lyngdoh (70) and taxi driver Hubert Swer (35).
“The district administration will also provide reimbursement to the two injured (Wannysha Ksoo, 27, and Newmemorial Wahlang, 51) for their treatment. After Independence Day we will write to them and they can come and collect the cheque,” Dkhar said.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya Governor has released Rs 1 lakh ex gratia to each family.
KN Kumar, Principal Secretary at the Governor’s Secretariat, said on Monday that following the tragic accident, the governor on humanitarian ground has decided to release the ex gratia.
While Rs 50,000 each was already paid to the relatives of the three victims on Monday, the remaining will be released on Wednesday.
Forest dept informed
Kumar further said Raj Bhavan had informed the Forest Department about the weak trees three months ago and only three identified trees were cut, leaving out the fatal tree which claimed three lives on Saturday.
Kumar said the tree that caused the accident was found to be strong by the Forest Department and hence it was left out.
No condolences
Though the state government and the governor have announced ex gratia, neither Chief Minister Mukul Sangma nor Governor Banwarilal Purohit have condoled the deaths. Only Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh has conveyed his condolences.
Secretariat in darkness
The major portion of the Meghalaya Secretariat was in darkness throughout the day on Monday due to the frequent power failure probably due to the repair work following the felling of many trees in and around Raj Bhavan.
