Bhopal gas victims claim win; say government agreed to their demands

NEW DELHI: Bhopal gas tragedy victims today claimed that the government has agreed to their demands on providing additional compensation to those affected and correction of data in the curative petition filed in the Supreme Court by the central government.

"The Minister has promised to go by the scientific data as the basis for assessment of injury caused by Union Carbide. There is abundant evidence in medical research and hospital records to show that well over 90 per cent people suffered injuries that were neither minor nor temporary.

"They will now be entitled to Rs 1 Lakh additional compensation that was denied to them earlier," said Rashida Bee of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmchari Sangh.

At a press conference here, five women survivors, Premlata, Vishnu Bai, Kasturi Bai, Shehazadi Bee, Kamla Bai and their supporter, Bhopal Group for Information & Action member, Rachna Dhingra called off their fast stating the Minister of Chemical & Fertilizers had agreed to their demands of providing additional relief to the victims.

"Government has agreed to rely on scientific research and hospital records for assessing deaths and injuries caused by the disaster and assured that the curative petition will be amended accordingly and an application for its urgent hearing will be filed in the Supreme Court soon," said Balkrishna Namdeo of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Nirashrit Pensionbhogee Sangharsh Morcha.

The figures in the curative petition are much lesser than the findings of the Indian Council of Medical Research ( ICMR) itself, which are government figures, the victims claimed.