The West Bengal government has announced Rs 25 lakh compensation and a government job for the family of each person who died in the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in North Kolkata.
The announcement was made by Suvendu Adhikari after he visited the injured victims undergoing treatment at the Kolkata Medical College and Hospital. Adhikari said that every family that lost a member in the tragedy would receive an ex-gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh along with a Group D government job.
The state government will provide Rs 5 lakh each to those injured in the stampede and will bear the entire cost of their medical treatment. The Chief Minister also said that injured victims can choose any hospital of their preference for further treatment.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an additional financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) for the families of those who lost their lives in the Kolkata stampede. Each injured person will receive Rs 50,000 as financial assistance.
To investigate the incident and determine accountability, the state government will constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a sitting judge of the Calcutta High Court. Adhikari said the move was aimed at ensuring a fair and impartial investigation into the tragedy.
The Chief Minister also announced that a separate high-level committee will be formed to inspect major Durga Puja pandals across West Bengal. The committee will review crowd management systems, emergency exit routes, lighting arrangements, and structural safety measures at the venues.
The state government has launched a toll-free helpline number 1800-345-5678 to provide information and assistance to those affected by the stampede. Adhikari said the government was making every possible effort to support the affected families and added that he personally met the relatives of those who lost their lives in the incident.
