Nitish announces compensation for accident victims

Samastipur, Aug 7 (UNI) Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today announced compensation of Rs one lakh each to the next of kin of the boat accident victims.

At least 68 people were feared drowned in one of the worst boat accident in recent times near Bulgani Ghat in River Ganges in the Samastipur district yesterday.

Mr Kumar consoled the family members of the victims here and said that besides compensation in cash, one dwelling unit each would be provided to the bereaved families under the Indira Awas Yojna (IAY). Widows of the victims would also get a monthly pension from the state government, he added.

''Out of about 100 people who were on boat, 32 swam to safety and three bodies were recovered while the rest were still missing,'' District Magistrate of Samastipur N Shrawan Kumar said.

''Directives have been issued to all district magistrates along River Ganges to press divers into service to recover the bodies of the victims of the boat tragedy,'' Mr Kumar said.

UNI