Pune landslide toll 153; Rs 5 lakh compensation to victim's kin

Maharashtra government on Wednesday approved a compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the victims of landslide at Malin village in Pune district, as the toll in the July 30 disaster has reached 153.

Official sources said in Mumbai that the state cabinet, at Wednesday's weekly meeting, approved the quantum of compensation.

Chief Minister Prithivraj Chavan told the cabinet that of the 176 houses in the village, 47 were destroyed in the mudslide which was triggered by heavy rains.

The village would be rehabilitated by the government, Chavan said, adding that the local administration and jawans of National Disaster Response Force had worked tirelessly during the ongoing rescue operations.

"The families whose houses were destroyed completely will be given all essential items (of day-to-day life) as well. If there are no survivors in a family, the compensation amount of Rs 5 lakh would be spent on rehabilitation of the village," Chavan told his colleagues.

A special officer of the rank of additional district collector will be appointed to monitor and implement the rehabilitation package.

Those injured in the tragedy would be given Rs 2 lakh each for medical treatment.

Chavan also said that the tribal welfare department would help mobile companies to erect mobile towers in remote and tribal villages. A survey would be conducted in villages where Malin like disasters could happen, and such villages would be relocated.

According to Pune district authorities, bodies of 73 women, 59 men and 21 children had been retrieved by Wednesday afternoon, as the rescue operations are in the last phase.

Image: NDRF personnel work at the debris following a massive landslide in Pune district’s Malin village

Photo: Nitin Lawate