Rs 20 Lakh for next of kin of those killed in NTPC explosion;

The next of kin of those killed in a boiler explosion at NTPC's Unchahar plant in Uttar Pradesh's Rai Bareli district yesterday will get a compensation amount of Rs 20 lakh, Union Power minister R K Singh said today.
Meanwhile, the state administration has ordered a magisterial probe into the incident.
A massive explosion had ripped a boiler at the NTPC's Unchahar plant and the death toll in the incident had risen up to 26, officials said.
"I am of the view that the ex-gratia which was earlier announced was not enough. Rs 20 lakh compensation will be given to the next of kin of those who died in the accident, while the seriously injured will get Rs 10 lakh and those who sustained minor injuries will be given Rs 2 lakh," he told reporters in Unchahar.

This amount is in addition to the compensation provided under the workmen compensation rules, he said.
In addition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also approved an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased.

"Prime Minister @narendramodi has approved an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of kin of those who have lost their lives due to the accident at the NTPC plant in Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh. PM has approved Rs 50,000 each for those injured due to the accident," the prime minister's office said on Twitter.
Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also announced Rs 2 lakh compensation for the families of those killed and Rs 50,000 for the grievously injured besides Rs 25,000 for the other injured workers.

Deputy Chief Minister Dinesh Sharma, who visited the accident site, termed the incident as gory and saddening.
"Our priority at this point in time is that proper treatment should be ensured to the injured persons. We stand by the families of those dead in their hour of grief. Teams of NTPC and NDRF have already arrived here," he said.
Sharma said a magisterial inquiry has been ordered by the district magistrate.
The NTPC too has ordered a probe, officials said.
Meanwhile, UP Chief Secretary Rajive Kumar said in Lucknow that a number of patients who have come to the state capital were "substantially burnt" and doctors and medical staff were giving them the best possible treatment.

He said the state government will ensure that there is no shortage of medicines at the hospitals.