Congress blames Shinde govt for deaths at award event, seeks higher compensation for victims

The state government has declared an ex-gratia payment of Rs 5 lakh for the families of the deceased.

atul londhe, congress, shinde government, maha bhushan deaths, compensation amount news, indian express

Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe. (File)

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Congress blames Shinde govt for deaths at award event, seeks higher compensation for victims

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Blaming the Eknath Shinde government of mismanagement, the Congress Monday demanded that a complaint be registered against officials tasked with organising the Maharashtra Bhushan Award event. Notably, at least 11 people died of dehydration and heatstroke while attending the program that was held in the open at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai earlier this month.

The Maharashtra Bhushan Award was conferred on Appasaheb Dharmadhikari at the function chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Speaking to reporters in Pune, state Congress spokesperson Atul Londhe said: “Only 500 persons were deployed for handling 20 lakh citizens. There was a shortage of facilities.” He added that people attending the event have claimed that the death count is much higher than the official figure.

Also Read |7-8 attendees of Maharashtra Bhushan event in Navi Mumbai die; case of sunstroke: CM

“The state government should call a special meeting of the legislative assembly to discuss the incident and find a solution to avoid a repeat of such incidents… The state government should frame guidelines for holding public events of such a grand scale,” he said.

Londhe further said, “The compensation amount for the kin of the deceased should be enhanced to Rs 25 lakh, and those who got hospitalised should be given Rs 10 lakh… It would be an injustice if the state government does not pay sufficient compensation.”