T’gana announces ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for Saudi bus crash victims
In a tragic incident, a bus carrying Umrah pilgrims from Telangana met with an accident in Saudi Arabia, leaving many feared dead. The incident has sent shockwaves across the state, with families of the victims awaiting news about their loved ones. In a move to provide relief to the affected families, the Telangana cabinet has announced a compensation of ₹5 lakh ex-gratia for each family of the victims. Additionally, the government has also announced that it will sponsor the travel of two relatives from each family to attend the last rites of the victims in Saudi Arabia.
The decision was taken after a meeting of the Telangana cabinet, which was convened to discuss the incident and provide assistance to the families of the victims. The cabinet, led by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao, expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and announced the ex-gratia amount to provide some relief to them. The government has also assured that it will provide all necessary assistance to the families of the victims, including help with travel arrangements to Saudi Arabia.
A delegation led by Telangana Minister for Minorities Welfare, Mohammad Azharuddin, will travel to Saudi Arabia to coordinate with local authorities and ensure that the last rites of the victims are performed with dignity. The delegation will also work with the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia to provide assistance to the families of the victims and facilitate their travel to the country.
The bus accident, which occurred on a highway in Saudi Arabia, has left many families in Telangana in a state of shock and grief. The victims, who were on a pilgrimage to perform Umrah, were from different parts of the state. The incident has highlighted the risks faced by pilgrims traveling to foreign countries and the need for adequate safety measures to be put in place to prevent such tragedies.
The Telangana government’s decision to provide ex-gratia compensation to the families of the victims is a welcome move, as it will provide some financial relief to them during this difficult time. The government’s decision to sponsor the travel of two relatives from each family to attend the last rites of the victims is also a thoughtful gesture, as it will allow the families to pay their last respects to their loved ones.
The incident has also highlighted the need for the government to provide more support and assistance to pilgrims traveling to foreign countries. This includes providing information about the safety measures in place, as well as ensuring that pilgrims are aware of the risks involved. The government should also work with tour operators and travel agencies to ensure that they are providing safe and reliable services to pilgrims.
In addition to the ex-gratia compensation, the Telangana government should also consider providing other forms of assistance to the families of the victims. This could include counseling services, financial assistance for education and livelihood, and other forms of support. The government should also work with community organizations and NGOs to provide support to the families of the victims and help them cope with their loss.
The incident has also raised questions about the safety of pilgrims traveling to Saudi Arabia, which is a popular destination for Umrah pilgrims from India. The Indian government should work with the Saudi Arabian authorities to ensure that adequate safety measures are in place to prevent such incidents in the future. This includes ensuring that buses and other vehicles used to transport pilgrims are safe and well-maintained, and that drivers are properly trained and licensed.
In conclusion, the Telangana government’s decision to provide ex-gratia compensation to the families of the victims of the Saudi bus crash is a welcome move. The government’s decision to sponsor the travel of two relatives from each family to attend the last rites of the victims is also a thoughtful gesture. However, more needs to be done to support the families of the victims and to prevent such incidents in the future. The government should work with community organizations, NGOs, and the Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia to provide assistance to the families of the victims and to ensure that pilgrims traveling to foreign countries are safe and supported.
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