Imphal, July 13 2009: In connection with grant of ex-gratia to the victims of Ragailong bomb blast, Additional Secretary of Home, Government of Manipur has pointed out that on January 2, 2009 Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East submitted a proposal to the Home Department for ex-gratia grant of Rs 21.40 lakhs (Rs 18 lakhs for 18 deceased persons and Rs 3.40 lakhs for 34 injured persons) but subsequently a list of 55 victims (18 deceased and 37 injured persons) in the incident was submitted to the Home Department.

On examination, it was found that out of 37 injured victims, 16 of them who sustained grievous injuries are entitled to ex-gratia of Rs 10000 each while the remaining 21 victims who got simple injuries are not entitled to grant of ex-gratia under the existing scheme.

Accordingly, the Home Department had sanctioned Rs 19.60 lakhs on March 26, 2009 for payment of ex-gratia for 34 victims (Rs 18 lakhs for 18 deceased persons and Rs 1.60 lakhs for 16 injured persons) to be paid through Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East.

So there is no pending on the part of the State Government to grant ex-gratia to the victims who got simple injury in the Ragailong bomb blast, , the Additional Secretary (Home) said in a statement made available to the press today.

The statement further said that the Home Department had reimbursed Rs 14,86,335 by order dated 7.3.2009 as per bills submitted by four hospitals namely RIMS Hospital, Lamphelpat; JN Hospital, Porompat; Shija Hospital & Research Institute, Langol and Raj Polyclinic, North AOC for medical treatment of those victims in the Ragailong bomb blast.

On continued instruction of the Government, Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East forwarded 23 cases (18 deceased and 5 injured persons) who are eligible to claim ex-gratia at the rate of Rs 3 lakhs for each deceased and other benefit for each injured to Ministry of Home Affairs on June 9, 2009 under a new scheme which came into effect from April 1, 2008, the statement added.