The Hindu : National : More time to disburse compensation to Bhopal gas tragedy victims

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 26, 2005

National

National

More time to disburse compensation to Bhopal gas tragedy victims

Legal Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday extended the time limit till April 30, 2006 for the Welfare Commissioner, Bhopal, to disburse the compensation amount of Rs. 1,503 crores to over five lakh victims of the Bhopal gas tragedy.

The court by an order on November 15, 2004 had directed that the money deposited by the Union Carbide, following a settlement with the Union Government should be disbursed to 5,72,000 claimants within three months by the Welfare Commissioner. In February, the time limit was extended till April 30.

In his fresh application the Welfare Commissioner submitted that in the three months up to February 11, the amount had been disbursed only to 78,938 claimants to the tune of Rs. 224 crores in view of the complex nature of the identification process.

He said due to shortage of judges, only 25 could be entrusted with the disbursement of compensation.

The Commissioner pointed out that initially the payment of compensation to 5,72,029 gas victims was carried out in a span of more than 12 years. In the action plan submitted it was stated that the pro rata amount could be disbursed to the claimants within six months. He agreed that ``some tall claims were made but due to practical difficulties the target that was proposed could not be achieved.''

He further said more than 20 to 30 per cent of the claimants were not available, as their whereabouts were not known. Despite efforts none was appearing for those claimants, he said and sought one more year to settle the compensation amount.

A Bench comprising the Chief Justice, R.C. Lahoti, and Justice B.N. Srikrishna after hearing the counsel, S. Murlidhar, accepted the request of the Commissioner and extended the time for disbursement of the remaining amount within one year from May 1.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

National