Imphal, July 12 2009: Reacting to allegations that certain percentage had been deducted from the exgratia/ compensation amount provided to family members of victims as survivors of the Ragailong bomb blast, JAC members today dismissed the contention as baseless.

Speaking to newspersons at Ragailong village today, JAC secretary Bhumeshore explained that family members of the 16 out of 17 blast victims were given Rs 1 lakh each out of assistance extended from the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) whereas 29 of the survivors had received Rs 50,000 each.

Moreover, from the monetary assistance provided by the State government Rs 1 lakh each were handed over to next of kin of all the 17 victims with the 16 of the survivors compensated with Rs 10,000 each, the JAC functionary clarified.

Stating that JAC members laboured tremendously to ensure every victim and survivor were duly compensated, Bhumeshore informed that assistance provided by the PMO was through deposit at the Punjab and Sind bank while that from the State Government was in the form of cheque.

JAC members also contributed their mite in opening bank accounts of the victims' family/survivors, he added.

With apparent reference to allegations that certain amount was deducted, he informed that as a gesture of gratitude to efforts of the JAC members each family of the victims who received Rs 1 lakh donated Rs 10,000 each with similar amount contributed by those survivors who received Rs 50,000 compensation.

The other injured persons who were compensated with Rs 10,000 also donated Rs 1000 each to the JAC, he explained while adding that at present a balance amount of Rs 4 lakh is still with the JAC.

Affirming on behalf of the JAC members, that all out efforts would continue to ensure adequate compensation those who are yet to receive assistance from the side of the Government, Bhumeshore regretted that members of Association of Bomb Blast Survivors are not according due acknowledgement to endeavour of the JAC.

He also reminded that an amount of Rs 75,000 was received as cash from the Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh on October 29, 2008 and that the said amount were distributed to 15 seriously wounded persons at the rate of Rs 5000 each.

Bhumeshore also reiterated JAC's commitment in ensuring all possible assistance to the remaining victims/injured persons yet to receive monetary help.