Jagan: Pay Rs. 1 Cr compensation

Kakinada, June 28, 2014: Squarely blaming the GAIL officials for the ghastly gas pipeline explosion that killed more than 17 persons and injured another 20 persons, YSR Congress party has demanded a compensation of Rs.1 Cr to each of the families of those who lose their lives in the tragedy. 

Speaking to media persons after visiting the scene of tragedy and consoling the injured in hospitals at Kakinada and Amalapuram, party president Sri Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy said human error was mainly responsible for the tragedy.  

“The oil companies, GAIL and ONGC, are vey negligent in such matters. Similar to the companies abroad, they must be asked to pay Rs. 1 Cr compensation to the victim families in such circumstances so that the oil companies would shiver to face the consequences of such tragedies. At least, they would be careful in future,” he said, adding that Rs. 25 lakh compensation is very meager. 

He said that Rs. 20 lakh compensation should be paid to each acre of the coconut orchards that were burnt up in the tragedy. “Besides, Rs. 30 lakh compensation should be paid to each of the houses that were damaged.  The injured must be paid a monthly pension of at least Rs. 25, 000,” he demanded.  

Sri Jagan Mohan Reddy also asked the oil companies to shift their pipelines far off from villages and replace the old pipelines with the new ones. “Our MPs will meet the ONGC, GAIL officials besides the Petroleum Minister to ensure proper compensation is paid to the families of the dead,” he said. He also assured the victim families that YSR Congress party would stand by them in their difficult times. 

Demands due share to AP in the KG Basin

 Jagan Mohan Reddy asked CM Chandrababu to put pressure on the Centre to ensure that AP will get its due share in the gas and oil produced in the KG basin. "Chandrababu should open his eyes at least now and ask the Centre to allot AP its due share in the KG Basin oil and gas."