Govt compensates family of Mecca crane crash victims

VIJAYAWADA: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu today handed over Rs 6 lakhs to the family members of a couple from the state who died in the recent accident during Haj pilgrimage at Mecca.

Naidu handed over a cheque for Rs 6 lakh (Rs 3 lakh per deceased) here to the family members of Abdul Khader and his wife Fatima Begum, who lost their lives in the crane crash accident during Haj pilgrimage, a state government release said.

Government will also provide 'Antyodya ration card', a house site and financial assistance for children's education to the family of Abdul Khader, it said.

Meanwhile, the family members of Kosanam Ramamurthy, a medical doctor who was abducted in Libya recently, met Naidu.

State Information and NRI Affairs Minister Palle Raghunatha Reddy said state government and Ministry of External Affairs have been making efforts to secure the safe release of Ramamurthy.