Gujarat CM announces compensation for mishap victims' kin

Ahmedabad, Apr 23: Gujarat Chief Minister Anandiben Patel announced compensation of Rs 4 lakh each to the families of 17 Gujarat-based pilgrims who died in an accident in Nepal yesterday.

Patel expressed grief over the incident in which 17 pilgrims were killed after a bus carrying them plunged some 100 metres from a mountain highway in Nepal, which also injured 28 other Gujarat-based pilgrims, a release issued here said. These pilgrims belong to various villages of Vadhvan taluka in Gujarat's Surendranagar district, it said.

Patel has also directed the Gujarat State Relief Commissioner to stay in touch with the Indian Embassy in Nepal, to provide timely help and medical treatment to the victims, the release said. A seperate helpline 011-46278700 (extention 9) has been activated at the Delhi-based Gujarat Bhavan for those who wish to know more about the victims, it said.

PTI