Alipur fire: Kejriwal announces compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for families of those killed

New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal on Friday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh each for the kin of those killed in a fire in a paint factory in Alipur here that left 11 people dead.

The chief minister visited the site to take stock of the situation in the aftermath of the blaze that broke out on Thursday evening.

“We have full sympathy for the families of the deceased. We will provide a compensation of Rs 10 lakh each for the kin of the deceased. Two people have sustained minor injuries and they will be awarded a compensation of Rs 20,000 each and those with major injuries will be awarded a compensation of Rs 2 lakh each,” he told reporters.

He said those whose nearby shops and houses were affected due to the fire will be awarded compensation in line with the government’s policy.

“We will fully assess the damage caused to shops and houses that were burnt. I just told the DM and the loss incurred will be compensated as per the government’s policy.”

The chief minister said there are allegations that there was a delay in the arrival of fire tenders to the spot.

“I will order an inquiry into it and whoever is guilty of this, will not be spared. How this factory was running in a residential area will also be investigated. Action will also be taken soon,” he added.

An explosion and subsequent fire in the paint factory in outer Delhi’s Alipur area left 11 people dead. Four people were injured in the fire that broke out on Thursday evening and are hospitalised.