Delhi Government Offers Rs 10 Lakh Aid After Palam Fire Tragedy
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New Delhi, March 18 (NationPress) On Wednesday, the Delhi government declared financial aid for the families impacted by the devastating fire in Palam that resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta expressed profound sorrow over the tragic loss of life, emphasizing that the government stands resolutely alongside the families affected during this challenging period.
In a message posted on X, she announced that the families of each deceased adult will receive Rs 10 lakh in compensation, while families of deceased minors will be provided Rs 5 lakh each. Additionally, Rs 2 lakh will be allocated to those who suffered severe injuries due to the incident.
“I am deeply saddened by the unfortunate fire incident in Palam. The loss of innocent lives is truly heartbreaking. My heartfelt condolences go out to the bereaved families. May God grant peace to the souls who have departed and provide strength to their loved ones to cope with this profound loss,” stated CM Gupta in her post on X.
She also mentioned that the Delhi government is dedicated to delivering relief and assistance to those impacted by this tragedy. “The Delhi government stands firmly with the affected families and will ensure every possible support,” she asserted.
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also expressed condolences regarding the loss of life and announced ex-gratia aid for the families of the victims.
As per the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) will be given to the next of kin of each deceased, while Rs 50,000 will be provided to the injured.
The fire erupted in a multi-storey building situated in Ram Market, Palam, early Wednesday morning, resulting in at least nine fatalities and multiple injuries.
Officials reported that the blaze broke out in a four-storey structure, where the basement, ground, and first floors accommodated a cloth and cosmetic showroom, while the upper floors were residence to the owner’s family.
Police and fire services promptly responded to the incident after receiving alerts around 7:04 a.m. Rescue teams evacuated several individuals from the building and transported them to nearby hospitals for medical attention.
In the meantime, the Delhi government has initiated a magisterial inquiry to investigate the cause of the fire and the circumstances leading to the casualties.