Kerala Model Compensation – Hindu life cost 1 lakh while a injured Muslim is worth 5 lakh Rs

In 2007, when a fire ravaged the streets of a sweet street, is’nt it surprising to know that the kith of those who lost their lives received a compensation of rupees one lakh and those who injured received fifty thousand ; only one injured person received a compensation of rupees five lakh Fifty thousand rupes? To the question ‘why’ comes the answer- the collector who sanctioned the amount was PB Salim and the receiver was a Muslim woman under special instructions from a Muslim league minister.

The fire of 2007 took 8 lives, including 3 students, who were 16 years old. The government had provided a compensation of rupees one lakh to the family of those who lost their lives. With the ‘extra benefits’ awarded on a special basis, the families of those to whom the gross injustice has been done, are approaching the Chief Minister to look into the matter.

The 16 year old students who lost their lives in the mishap hailed from families suffering from abject poverty, which made them take up jobs in the sweets shop, during holidays. In their state of grief, the families overlooked the amount given as compensation. However, now, with the passage of time, the aging family members, struck with ailments regret their having taking a paltry amount as compensation.

More painful was the partisan attitude shown by the government, of offering the family of an injured, a bountiful rupees five lakh fifty thousand as compensation. The order was issued by collector PB Salim. According to sources, even though the glaring discrepancy and injustice was pointed out to the Collector by revenue officers, the matter was hardly heeded to. However, sources have also added that the collector’s stand was owing to high level involvement.

The families of those who lost their lives reel in abject poverty. Apart from physical ailments plauging them, the family has yet to come to terms with the cruel and shattering loss. The mother of one of the deceased, Binith, is a cancer and kidney patient. The condition of the families of others are no less different.

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