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PM announces ex-gratia relief for GAIL explosion victims

by IBNS 27 Jun 2014, 11:26 am

New Delhi, June 27 (IBNS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Ministers Relief Fund, for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives in the GAIL pipeline fire in Andhra Pradesh Friday.

An ex-gratia relief of Rs. 50,000 has also been sanctioned for those who were seriously injured in the incident.

At least 14 people were killed and several others were injured on Friday in an explosion at an 18-inch pipeline of largest state-owned natural gas processing and distribution company GAIL in Andhra Pradesh.

The explosion occurred near an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) refinery complex at Nagaram in East Godavari district.

GAIL chairman BC Tripathi said the reason for the accident is yet unknown.

 Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee has condoled the loss of lives too.

In his message to  E.S.L. Narasimhan, Governor of Andhra Pradesh, the President has said: “I am extremely saddened to learn about the explosion of a GAIL gas pipeline in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh in which some persons have lost their lives and many others are injured. 

"I am sure that the State Government and other agencies are taking necessary steps to provide urgent medical assistance to the injured and all possible aid to the bereaved families, who have lost their near and dear ones. 

"Please convey my heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased. I wish speedy recovery to the injured persons."