Government announces Rs 2 lakh compensation to families of those killed in earthquake

NEW DELHI: Government today announced a compensation of Rs two lakh to the families of those who lost their lives in the powerful quake that struck various parts of India leaving 53 dead.

Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, bordering Nepal, were the worst-hit parts of India in yesterday's quake measuring 7.9 on the Richter Scale.

"GoI has announced a compensation of Rs. 2 lakh to families of those who lost their lives in the Earthquake across parts of India," PMO said in a tweet.

According to the Home Ministry, the toll in the quake in India has climbed to 53 while 240 were injured.

In Uttar Pradesh, 11 deaths took place and 69 people were injured while in West Bengal 2 persons perished and 35 were injured in the quake.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is himself monitoring the situation and has issued directives to ensure timely relief for those affected.

He has directed immediate dispatch of rescue and relief teams, including medical staff, to the affected areas.