Bengal cabinet approves govt jobs for kin of 19 Chorbagan stampede victims

The West Bengal cabinet on Wednesday approved a proposal to provide government employment to the next of kin of those killed in the October 17 stampede at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari announced.

Addressing a press conference after chairing the cabinet meeting, Adhikari said eligible family members willing to accept employment would be directly recruited to permanent Group D posts in the state government.

"The cabinet today approved the grant of government jobs to the next of kin of the Chorbagan stampede victims. Family members interested in employment will be directly recruited as permanent Group D staffers," the Chief Minister said.

𝗕𝗶𝗵𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Adhikari clarified that the families of two victims belonging to Bihar would not be eligible for government employment in West Bengal because they did not possess the required domicile certificates.

However, he said both families would receive the previously announced compensation of Rs 25 lakh each.

"But they will be provided with the Rs 25 lakh compensation. Our minister Umesh Rai will soon visit their homes in Bihar and hand over the cheques," he said.

𝗡𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗲𝗱𝗲

The stampede occurred on the evening of October 17 at the Chorbagan Durga Puja pandal, killing 19 people and injuring 25 others.

The cabinet's decision comes 11 days after the tragedy and provides a permanent employment option for eligible family members of the deceased, alongside the financial assistance announced by the state government.

The Chief Minister did not specify when the recruitment process would begin or how many family members had expressed interest in government employment.