Akhilesh announces compensation for demonetisation 'victims'

Akhilesh Yadav has announced Rs 2 lakh compensation to the kin of those who have died in queues outside bank branches and ATMs since demonetisation.

Lucknow, Dec 7: Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav on Wednesday announced that his government will give Rs 2 lakh to the kin of each of those residents of the state who have died in queues outside bank branches and ATMs since the November 8 demonetisation.

A state government spokesman said the Chief Minister also expressed his anguish over people being made to stand in long queues outside banks and ATMs to withdraw their own hard-earned money.

Yadav also expressed deep sorrow at the demise of Aligarh resident Razia and announced a financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh to her family from the "Chief Minister's Discretionary Fund".

Razia, a daily-wager, tried to change six notes of Rs 500, now illegal tenders, thrice at a nearby bank. A dejected Razia then set herself afire, resulting in serious burn injuries.

She was first treated at the local Malkhan Singh District Hospital and then at the Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, also in Aligarh. Later, she was referred to the Safdurjung Hospital in New Delhi, where she succumbed to burn injuries on December 4.

Considering the poor financial condition of the family, the Chief Minister decided to give them financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh.

Yadav also observed that such deaths outside banks and ATMs are heart-rending and announced that families of such economically weak people, who die under similar conditions, will be extended a financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each from the "Chief Minister's Discretionary Fund'.

IANS