Murli Deora reviews safety of oil depots

New Delhi, Nov 4 (ANI): Petroleum Minister Murli Deora met the executives of various oil companies, both public sector and private owned here on Tuesday and reviewed the safety and security aspects of oil and gas depots.

The meeting came days after a massive fire broke out at the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) depot in Jaipur on October 29, that killed 13 and gutted fuel worth over five billion rupees.

"We called a meeting of public sectors and private sectors, people who are associated with their own companies, to see that what shall we do in future that such thing does not occur and if (they) occur, how to solve it very clearly," Deora said.

He also said that IOC would pay rupees 500 million as an immediate relief to various units located in the vicinity of the depot, which too bore the brunt of the fire.

"I am very happy to say that 50 crore rupees will be given from IOC to them so that they can start immediately. There was insurance, which will give to IOC about 55 crore rupees, which after settlement will be given back to the shops or other people. Those who died, the IOC will give them and their families 10 lakh rupees and those who are injured, minor and major injuries, two lakh rupees. But we are working with them several schemes how to rehabilitate them, how to help them to settle them back in their business," said Deora.

At least 13 people were dead and about 200 injured after the blaze started at the IOC depot in Sitapura industrial area of Jaipur and quickly spread to some adjoining industrial units, with massive flames rising from the area. (ANI)