Year's budget can't compensate lives lost in stampede: Somanna
Mysuru, June 8 (UNI) In the wake of the Congress-led Karnataka government increasing the ex-gratia compensation amount for the families of the deceased in the Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede, Union Minister V Somanna on Sunday said even an entire year's budget cannot atone for the precious lives lost during the tragic incident.
'Those children were the future of Karnataka and of India,' Somanna said, addressing reporters.
Somanna's remarks came a day after the state government enhanced the compensation amount from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh for the family of each of those who died in the stampede last Wednesday ahead of IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) victory celebrations.
The state government has been facing mounting criticism over the handling of the incident, which claimed 11 lives and left dozens injured.
'This so-called virtuous government may allocate its entire budget, but it cannot bring back the lives lost,' Somanna said.
Referring to a social media post, he added, 'I read that one of the deceased child's fathers had assets worth Rs 100 crore. But what's the use of such wealth when the child is no more? Who is responsible for this sin?'
The Minister refrained from naming individuals but stressed the need for accountability. 'I don't wish to take names. But everything that had to be done was not done. Everything that needed to be said must now be said,' he remarked.
The tragedy occurred when tens of thousands of fans flooded into the stadium area after a last-minute announcement by RCB about victory celebrations. Despite the venue's 35,000 capacity, nearly 2–3 lakh people gathered, overwhelming entry gates and the police.
Reports have claimed that police had warned the government about the risk of a massive turnout, but security arrangements remained grossly inadequate.
The state government has already cracked the whup, suspending five senior police officers, including the city police commissioner B Dayananda. The ADGP of Intelligence Hemant Nimbalkar has been transferred.
The Karnataka government has also set up a one-member judicial commission led by Justice John Michael D'Cunha, alongside CID and magisterial inquiries. UNI BDN SSP
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