MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS (SHRI SRIKANT KUMAR JENA)
(a) & (b): The Group of Ministers (GoM) reconstituted on 26-05-2010 to examine all the
issues relating to Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster, in meetings held during 18-06-2010 to 21-06-2010,
deliberated on all issues pertaining to the tragedy and made various recommendations. The
Cabinet in a meeting held on 24.6.2010, considered the recommendations of the GoM and approved,
amongst others, payment of ex-gratia to the following categories of the Bhopal Gas Victims at
the rates indicated below;
Cateqorv ex-qratia
Death Rs.10 lakh (less amount of compensation already Received)
Permanent disability Rs.5 lakh (less amount already received)
Cancer cases Rs.2 lakh (less amount already received)
Total Renal Failure Cases Rs. 2 lakh (less amount already received)
Temporary disability Rs.1 lakh (less amount already received)
For makin9 payment of ex-gratia by the Welfare Commissioner, Bhopal Gas Victims, a
sum of Rs.669.00 crore is being provided by the Govt. of India.
(c): It has been decided by the Government that the work of disbursal of ex-gratia should
be undertaken through the Office of the Welfare Commissioner, Bhopal Gas Victims, Bhopal as
soon as possible. For this purpose, the Office of the Welfare Commissioner, Bhopal Gas Victims,
has been strengthened by sanction of 72 more posts including six posts of Deputy Welfare
Commissioners and two posts of Additional Welfare Commissioners.
(d): Based on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers, the Government has taken
following decisions, in addition to payment of ex-gratia, to provide further relief to the
Bhopal Gas Victims:
(i) The Government of India will file an application in the Supreme Court seeking permission
to take over the Bhopal Memorial Hospital and Research Centre (BMHRC) to be run through the
Department of Bio-Technology and Department of Atomic Energy. The Hospital thereafter is to be
strengthened, upgraded and run as a super speciality Hospital.
(ii) ICMR will establish a fullfledged centre in Bhopa! which will be its 31st Centre and
is to be commissioned within 90 days of the Government decision. ICMR will identify suitable
scientists and Doctors, through fresh appointments, deputation etc., and appoint them to the
new Research Centre to conduct epidemiological studies and clinical research in areas identified
by the ICMR including following areas
a) Respiratory diseases;
b) Eye related diseases;
c) Cancer;
d) Total Renal failure;
e) Genetic disorders;
f) Congenital disorders;
g) Women related medical issues;
h) Second generation children related medical issues;
(iii) Based on the New Plan of Action, an amount of Rs.272.75 crores has been approved for
being provided to the Government of Madhya Pradesh, as Additional Central Assistance on 75:25
basis, for medical, economic and social rehabilitation of the Gas Victims and also for providing
safe drinking water by purification of contaminated ground water and from other sources. Sanction
for the Central Government`s share of Rs. 204.56 crore comprising 75% of the approved amount
has been communicated to the State Government on 09-07-2010 for this purpose.
(iv) The reports submitted by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI),
National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI) and Indian Institute of Chemical Technology(IICT) based on studies on environmental remediation of the UCIL plant site at Bhopal shall
be peer reviewed by scientists appointed for the purpose and the course of action suggested by
these research institutes, as modified by the peer review, shall be accepted by the Government.
Responsibility for remedial action is entrusted to the Government of Madhya Pradesh. An
Oversight Committee has been established in the M/o Environment and Forests to provide
oversight and support to the Government of Madhya Pradesh for taKing the necessary remedial
action. The work relating to disposal of the stored hazardous residues, dismantling of the
contaminated structure and remediation of contaminated water and soil will be completed by
30-12-2012.
