Kushinagar accident: Parents complain as banks return ex-gratia cheques

LUCKNOW: The Congress has alleged that the ex-gratia cheques given by the Union and state governments to the parents of children killed in the Kushinagar unmanned railway crossing accident was a mere piece of paper.
Congress Legislature Party (CLP) leader Ajay Kumar 'Lallu' on Tuesday said that when the recipients went to get the cheques en-cashed, the banks returned them. "The return memo stated out of range as the reason for non-disbursement of the funds," Kumar told reporters.

On April 26, 13 children died on the spot while four others suffered injuries when the school van they were travelling in collided with a train at an unmanned crossing in Duddhi area of Kushinagar district. Both governments of UP and Union ministry of railways had announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for each of the kin of the deceased.

"The aggrieved parents are being harassed for no fault and the government must ensure immediate disbursement of their dues," demanded the Congress leader who is an MLA from Tamkuhi Raj seat of Kushinagar. TOI spoke to one of the parents who confirmed the Congress' claim.

"I got the cheque on April 27 and submitted it soon after. But on May 5, they refused to pay and returned the cheque. I have checked with the bank twice thereafter but they have told me that the bank is yet to recieve the sanctioned amount," said Haider Ali who lost his sons Kamran and Farhan in the unfortunate incident.