New Delhi: Its been one-and-a-half months since the June 12 AI 171 crash in Ahmedabad and Air India announced on Saturday that it has so far released the Rs 25 lakh interim compensation to the next of kin of 147 of those killed in the disaster. The process is on to pay compensation to 52 more families, the airline said in a statement.
At this rate, how much time could it take for all families to receive the interim compensation?
“This is a time consuming process, involving a lot of legalities. Every claim has to be carefully verified to prevent any dispute in the future. One must remember that this was one of the worst disasters in India’s aviation history and all care is being taken,” an official said.
According to the statement released by the airline: “Air India has, so far, released the interim compensation to the families of 147 of the 229 deceased passengers and also the 19 who lost their lives at the accident site. In addition, the requisite documents of 52 others have been verified, to whose families the interim compensation will be released progressively.”
This interim payment will be adjusted against any final compensation that may be announced for the next of kin of the crash victims.
“Apart from the interim payout announced by the airline after the crash, Tata Sons also pledged an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 crore for each of the deceased. The payment will be through the Rs 500 crore AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust set up by Tata Sons. Apart from the ex-gratia compensation, the trust will support the rebuilding of the B J Medical College hostel infrastructure that was badly damaged in the accident,” the Air India statement said.
“The Trust will also provide aid and assistance for alleviation of any trauma or distress suffered by the first responders, medical and disaster relief professionals, social workers, and governmental staff who provided invaluable institutional support and service in the aftermath of the accident,” it added.
