Bengal announces new compensation rates in animal attack

Kolkata, Aug 27 (UNI) The West Bengal government today enhanced rates of ex-gratia payments to the victims and their legal heirs by the wild animals.

Compensation for permanent disability per person was increased to Rs 50,000, a hike of Rs 20,000, for crop damage per hectare Rs 7,500, for hut damage (total) Rs 3000 and Rs 1500 for partial hut damage.

Rs 5000 was allotted for damage of semi-permanent house and Rs 10,000 for damage of permanent house, a forest department communique issued here said.

However, Rs 1 lakh for death remained unchanged.

The new rates were announced following growing incidents of man-elephant conflict in forest areas of the state.

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