Bhopal gas disaster: Centre to file new petition

NEW DELHI: The Group of Ministers ( GoM) on Bhopal gas disaster on Monday decided that Centre would file a new petition in the case.

The GoM recommended enhanced compensation to the families of those dead in the gas leak and to those debilitated permanently or partially.

Briefing the media after the meeting, Home Minister P Chidambaram said that a fresh petition would be filed in the case. He also informed that all legal costs would be borne by the government.

"Warren Anderson's extradition was also discussed at the meeting. I would be submitting the report to the Prime Minister at 3.30pm today," Chidambaram said.

Earlier, sources said the compensation would be to the tune of Rs 10 lakh for the kin of those dead. Those with permanent disability would be compensated to the tune of Rs five lakh and those with partial disability Rs 3 lakh.

The GoM, which concluded its three-day deliberations, decided to make fresh efforts for the extradition of former Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson and to come up with a "clean up" project at the gas plant site in Bhopal to bury toxic material there.

The GoM, headed by Home Minister P Chidambaram, discussed various issues relating to criminal and civil liability, relief and rehabilitation and remediation in the wake of the Bhopal court verdict in the case two weeks ago.

(With inputs from agencies)