LUCKNOW: Confirming that at least 41 people died after being struck by lightning in 16 districts of Uttar Pradesh on Sunday, the state government on Monday said Rs 4 lakh will be given as ex gratia to the kin of each of the deceased.
With 41 lightning deaths in a single day being a highly unusual occurrence, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath expressed grief over the deaths. Maximum 14 deaths were reported from Prayagraj.
“Families of people who died due to lightning strikes are given ex gratia relief of Rs 4 lakh each under the state disaster relief fund. Families of the deceased from Prayagraj were issued compensation on Monday evening itself while payment will be released to the remaining families at the earliest,” Relief Commissioner Ranvir Prasad said.
The casualties include five each in Kanpur Dehat and Fatehpur, three each in Firozabad and Kaushambi, two each in Chitrakoot, Unnao, Hamirpur and Sonbhadra and one each in Mirzapur, Hardoi and Banda. At least 23 people were injured in lightning strikes in seven districts. “Those injured are being treated in government hospital free of cost,” Prasad said.
Meanwhile, the department has also made changes in regulations for issuing compensation in cases of snake bites. Citing delays in medical reports after which compensation was released, Prasad said a primary post-mortem report would be the sufficient proof for release of compensation.
“Earlier, the viscera of the victims was preserved and sent for medical analysis. This was a time-consuming process. It has been decided that after clearance from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, compensation can be released on the basis of primary post-mortem report,” Prasad said.
