PM announces 2 lakh ex-gratia for kin of people killed in Rajasthan, UP, MP lighting strikes

New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the people killed due to lightning strikes in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

Besides, an aid of Rs 50,000 will also be granted to the injured, he said.Taking to Twitter, Mr Modi mourned the loss of lives in the lightning and announced an ex-gratia from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

According to the officials, the Prime Minister was briefed about the loss of lives and damage due to lightning in all the three states.

As many as 20 people died after being struck by lightning in Rajasthan on Sunday. The deceased belonged to Jaipur, Dholpur, Kota, Jhalawar and Baran.More than ten people suffered injuries in separate incidents, the officials.

In Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj alone, 14 people lost their lives, while four people got burnt due to lightning. Four people died in Kaushambi and one in Pratapgarh districts. While lightning claimed four lives in Fatehpur, as many were killed in Kanpur dehat.

While Two each died in Unnao and Ferozabad due to lightning, one each in Aurriya, Hamirpur, Banda, Sonebhadra, Chandauli, Rae Bareli, Sultanpur and Mirzapur.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has expressed deep grief over the loss of lives and directed the concerned district authorities to ensure relief to the affected families.

The CM has directed to immediately distribute the permissible relief amount to the families of the deceased and condolences have been expressed to the bereaved families. At the same time, instructions have also been given for the treatment of the injured.

Lightning has also claimed seven lives in different districts of Madhya Pradesh.Of these, two people were from Sheopur district and two from Gwalior district. One person died in Shivpuri district along with one each in Anuppur and Betul districts, respectively.(UNI)