Kin of ESIC fire victims yet to be paid

Mumbai: Nearly two months after a fire at ESIC Hospital in Marol claimed 13 lives and left over 160 injured, the families of several victims are yet to get compensation. At least three families said they have made several rounds of ESIC offices only to return with empty assurances.
ESIC was prompt to pay compensation to families of those who died on the day of the fire. There has been a delay in cases where individuals succumbed after days or weeks of suffering from complications in various hospitals. Of the 13 victims, the families of at least four have told TOI that they didn’t get the Rs 10 lakh compensation.

Sakinaka resident Idna Khatoon’s son Abdul Salam said despite submitting all documents, he was yet to hear from ESIC. Khatoon (65) died on January 5, about 22 days after the fire. He was admitted to ESIC for an intracranial bleed and a brain surgery was scheduled on the day of the fire. Though she was rescued and taken to SevenHills Hospital, where she finally underwent the surgery on December 21, she again had to be shifted to Riddhi Vinayak Hospital in Malad, where she succumbed to multiple complications.

“We have already gone through a lot because of her illness. Her suffering was aggravated by the fire. The compensations should have been paid promptly out of humanity. However, I am shunted from one table to another. An official said I would receive a call when the money comes. I am waiting for that,” said Salam, who works with an e-commerce firm.

The family of Vitthal Pakhare (75) is going through the same ordeal. Pakhare’s son Vijay said his father was in fragile state since a heart attack in Diwali. Three days before the fire, Pakhare was rushed to ESIC. He had suffered a cardiorespiratory failure but doctors revived him and put him on ventilator. He passed away on December 31 after being treated at two hospitals. “I have made at least four rounds of two ESIC offices. They have told us to be patient as papers are being processed. What is taking so long since it’s an open and shut incident,” said Vijay, adding that they had received Rs 2 lakh compensation for critically injured when his father was alive and under treatment.

The family of Asalfa resident Datta Kisan Narvade is particularly hard hit as the patriarch, though retired, was the main breadwinner. ESIC medical superintendent Dr BB Gupta couldn’t be reached for comment. But an official said some of these cases are “under process”.