Delhi Fire: Centre Announces Rs 2 Lakh Ex-Gratia, Delhi Government 10 Lakh To Victims’ Families; Probe Ordered

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia for families of those killed and Rs 50 thousand for the injured after a massive factory fire on Sunday (8 December) morning killed at least 43 people and injured over a dozen more.

The official Twitter handle of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Office said, "PM Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from PMNRF for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the tragic fire in Delhi. PM has also approved Rs 50,000 each for those seriously injured in the fire."

Earlier, the Delhi government too announced Rs 10 lakh assistance to the families of those killed in the blaze in west Delhi's Rani Jhansi Road area on Sunday morning. The government also announced Rs 1 lakh compensation to the injured.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal ordered a magisterial inquiry into the fire incident.

Taking to Twitter, Kejriwal said, "We have lost more than 40 innocent lives to this tragic fire. I've ordered a magisterial inquiry into its cause, no culprit will be spared."

At least 43 people were killed and over a dozen others injured early on Sunday when a fire broke out in a factory in a crowded market in Delhi.

The people who died in the fire are labourers and they were sleeping in the factory when the fire broke out between 4.30 am and 5 am.

Meanwhile, Police said an FIR has been registered against the factory owner for operating the bag manufacturing unit from a residential area and flouting safety norms.

(With inputs from IANS)