(a) whether the Government has decided to give an additional compensation of Rs. 5 lakh to 3325 victims of 1984 anti-Sikh riots;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government will also consider to giving additional compensation to the victims of Bhopal Gas tragedy occurred in that 1984;
(d) if so,the details thereof; and
(e) if not, the reasons therefor?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. The Government, vide its dated 16.12.2014, has conveyed to the concerned State Government/UTs to take necessary action for grant of enhanced compensation to the Next of Kin of those who did during 1984 anti-sikh riots a per the following criteria:
(i) In addition to the amount already paid, the Next of Kin would be given enhanced relief of Rs. 5.00 lakh per deceased person;
(ii) The concerned State/Union Territory Governments would identify legal heirs of the deceased persons with all other relevant details;
(iii) As approved earlier by the Central Government, the State/Union Territories would disburse the money from their own funds and Ministry of Home Affairs would reimburse the amount on receipt of Utilization Certifications from the States/Union Territories.
(c) to (e): After occurrence of the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster in 1984, Bhopal Gas victims have been awarded original compensation, pro-rata compensation as per the direction of Supreme Court and ex-gratia as per the decision taken by Cabinet in the year 2010.
On direction of the Cabinet in the year 2010, a Curative Petition No. 345-347 was filed in the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India by Union of India V/s Union Carbide Corporation, USA, Dow Chemicals, USA and other succe- ssor companies in December, 2010 claiming additional compensation from Union Carbide Corporation and/or successor companies of Union Carbide Corporation, in review of the court’s earlier judgment passed in 1989 settling a compensation of US $ 470 million. One of the components of additional compensation being claimed in the petition is based on the actual number of death and injury cases awarded for compensation vis-a-vis the number of such cases assumed by the Supreme Court in 1989. The Curative Petition is pending before the Supreme Court.