Assam industries and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary will be visiting the relief camps of the displaced people affected by the Baghjan fire on Thursday.
Patowary asked the Oil India Limited (OIL) authorities to release the compensation to the displaced people at the earliest.
The minister directed the Tinsukia district administration to oversee the process of awarding compensation to the affected people.
Patowary visited Baghjan oil well site on Wednesday.
He personally took stock of the situation and assessed the loss of the affected area and its people.
State chief minister SarbanandaSonowal on Tuesday directed the industry minister to visit Baghjan to take stock of the ground situation.
Also read: Modi assures to help the people affected by Baghjan fire
Minister Patowary later held a series of meetings with the Tinsukia district administration, CMD and other top officials of Oil India Limited, oil field experts and representatives of various local organizations at Tinsukia.
The minister discussed in detail the Baghjan oil well fire incident and action plan for controlling the situation.
In the course of discussion, it was decided that all possible help and care to the affected people of Baghjan area will be taken by the State Government and Oil India.
Also read: Baghjan fire: OIL suspends two senior officials
During the minister’s discussion with deputy commissioner and superintendent of police of Tinsukia, Oil India’s CMD assured Patowary that the fire at the well site will be doused within 21 days.
The CMD also informed the minister that the two firemen of OIL who lost their lives would be posthumously given bravery award by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India. Oil India will give Rs 1 crore to Tikheswar Gohain’s family and Rs. 60 lakhs to the family of Durlov Gogoibased on their years of service at Oil India.
Also read: Petroleum Minister reviews Baghjan fire situation; Rs 30,000 announced to each affected families
Both the families would receive pension and other financial benefits.
One eligible member from each family would be given a job in Oil India.
Besides, it was decided to give Rs 30,000 to each family of the people who were displaced from their homes and are living in the relief camps.
The minister instructed that the money would be deposited on Wednesday itself.
The amount will be deposited by Oil India to the bank account of the district administration and subsequently will be disbursed to the affected families. This is the initial and partial compensation as an immediate relief measure.
Also read: OIL lapses triggered Baghjan tragedy!
In the meeting, it was also decided that the Tinsukia deputy commissioner will make an assessment of the loss of property following the mishap at the oil well.
After the assessment, the amount of compensation will be paid by OIL and Government of Assam.
Union minister of state for food processing and industries Rameshwar Teli and MLA, ChabuaBinod Hazarika attended the meetings.
Organizations like All Assam Moran Students Union, All Assam Motok Students Union, All Assam Gorkha Students Union, All Adivasi Students Association of Assam etc, Oil India officials and officials of the district administration were present in the meeting.
Also read: Baghjan Fire: Centre and Assam government working to ensure safety of affected families
After the meetings at Tinsukia, the minister visited the incident site along with Rameswar Teli and Binod Hazarika, to assess the damage and enquire about the relief measures to the affected people.
He also visited the relief camps and interacted with the camp inmates.
The Minister assured the people that Centre and State governments will take all necessary measures to help them in this crisis.
He also told them that chief minister Sonowal had already talked to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and apprised him about the latest situation.
Also read: Former Assam footballer dies in Baghjan fire
The Prime Minister assured all help towards the people in the affected area.
Chief minister Sonowal also spoke to defense minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah, petroleum minister Dharmendra Pradhan, DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh apprising them of the situation and all the ministers gave assurance of extending necessary help in this regard.
Also read: Assam CM directs Patowary to visit Baghjan
It may be mentioned that there are in total 12 relief camps with 7,000 inmates.
Minister Patowary is visiting the relief camps on Thursday too.
