Telangana Government Released Rs. 85 Lakhs Ex-Gratia for Gulzar Houz Victims
According to a government memo issued by the revenue department on Friday, the funds were sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
Hyderabad: The state government, after nearly two months of the tragic Gulzar Houz fire accident, released Rs 85 lakh as ex gratia for the families of those who died on May 18. Deccan Chronicle had reported on July 10, that the families had been waiting for nearly two months for the support.
According to a government memo issued by the revenue department on Friday, the funds were sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. The amount will be handed over to the Hyderabad collector who will distribute Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the 17 deceased.
The accident at Gulzar Houz took place at around 5 am, less than 100 metres from Charminar. The fire, which is assumed to have begun due to a short circuit on the ground floor of the building, quickly spread upstairs where 17 people got trapped. All 17, including children, lost their lives.
The government, soon after the accident, had announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for the family members of each victim, while the Centre announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakhs per deceased. While the Centre released and disbursed the ex gratia, the state government had delayed releasing the amount.
The revenue department memo directed the district collector to take necessary steps to distribute the funds and report back to the government once the process is completed.