Bus blaze: MP minister leaves for Bhubaneswar

Bhopal, Jan 21 (UNI) Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan today directed payment of Rs 50,000 each as ex gratia to families of two pilgrims who were killed when a bus carrying more than 60 people from Rajgarh district of the state caught fire in Bhubaneswar.

The injured were sanctioned assistance of Rs 10,000 each.

Official sources said Mr Chouhan spoke over telephone to his Orissa counterpart Naveen Patnaik and that state's Revenue Minister Manmohan G urging the duo to ensure adequate treatment to the injured, some of whom were discharged after first aid.

Mr Chouhan sent state Culture and Public Relations Minister Lakshmikant Sharma -- who is in charge of Rajgarh -- and officials in a government plane to Bhubaneswar. The minister would supervise treatment, dole out compensation and arrange for the people's return. The Chief Minister directed that arrangements also be made to bring the deceased's bodies to their native place.

Twenty-five injured have been admitted to Bhubaneswar's Capital Hospital and Medical College Hospital. The passangers hailed from Rajgarh's Lakshmanpura, Hinautiya and Jeerapur.

UNI SD-AC SP HT1702