A special Cabinet session will be convened on September 3 to discuss compensation to the victims of the gas tanker tragedy in Kannur. A decision would be taken only after holding discussions and reviewing of relief measures with various heads of departments in Kannur District, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said in a press release here.
“All victims of the gas tanker tragedy will be provided with necessary assistance. Treatment would be provided at hospitals as suggested by the relatives of the victims. It is a sad thing that the casualty number has gone up despite ensuring all the required help. Because of this, a team of medical college doctors have been deputed to observe those undergoing treatment and provide timely help to ensure their well being. Instructions have been given to avoid delay resulting from preparing of inquests and post-mortem of the dead,” he said.
Government would also bring in effective guidelines to check the movement of tanker lorries in the State. On an average, daily, about 40,000 tanker lorries ply the roads in Kerala. The government is contemplating to control this by seeking the help of railways. The railway authorities have already indicated the possibility of carrying the tanker lorry itself on goods wagon and rolled out at stations like Ernakulam and Kochi. If this facility can be provided for Kozhikode, then the distance covered by the tanker lorries by road in Kerala can be reduced considerably. The special Cabinet convened would deal on this aspect also.
—-UNI