Building collapse victim yet to receive ex-gratia
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, November 11 2021: The family of one S Sumneikup Kom of Khoirentak Khuman in Churachandpur district, who was killed after a building near RK Book Store along BT Road collapsed over him on May 10, 2019, conveyed that they are yet to receive the ex-gratia which was promised by the minister concerned.

According to a report, after the building collapsed, the then MAHUD minister Th Shyamkumar arrived at the scene and assessed the situation.

The minister, at that time, assured that the state government would provide ex-gratia to the victim.

Shortly after, the state government announced on October 19 the same year that ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh would be given to the victim's family.

A sanction order was issued stating that the amount was to be given under the Home Department and all efforts were made to complete the necessary process related to the Finance Department.

However, no money has been provided till date.

Subsequently, in early part of 2020, the family was instructed to submit their Aadhaar for disbursing the money.

However, the time given by the Finance Department was too short, as the deadline was set 3 days before the end of the financial year.

As such, the process lapsed as it reached the Treasury late.

The process was again reinitiated in March this year and the Finance re-notified the necessary sanction.

At this moment, the new secretary said that the department (Home) was not the authority for sanctioning the money, but the MAHUD department.

As such, the family remarked that if such issues are being faced in an order passed by the state government, one could very well imagine the difficulty faced in other aspects.

The report further stated that the wife of S Sumneikup Kom is currently admitted to hospital in serious condition.

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