Finance dept says it is waiting for CM’s approval to release compensation

The amount announced is above the rates fixed by the govt for victims of terrorist attacks.

KARACHI: Just a couple of hours after the blast in Abbas Town, Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah and Governor Ishratul Ebad hastily announced that Rs1.5 million each would be given to the families of those people killed by the explosion and Rs1 million to those injured. But the finance department is now waiting for the chief minister to sign some documents to release Rs250 million so that the compensation can be handed out.

Currently, the rate set by the government for families who lose breadwinners in terrorist attacks is Rs0.5 million and Rs0.2 million for injured. The finance department cannot make the payments until the chief minister has put his pen to paper, agreeing to relax these rules. “The chief minister has already announced hefty compensation for the legal heirs of the victims, but we can’t release the amount until he approves a summary to change the prevailing rules,” a finance official told The Express Tribune.

But the Karachi commissioner Hashim Raza Zaidi said that the government has already transferred the compensation money to his account and this will be distributed as soon as the deserving families are identified. On the other hand, the chief minister’s spokesperson said the finance department has been tasked with disbursing the amount after data has been collected from hospitals to verify all claims of injuries and deaths. “No committee has been formed to determine the loss of human lives. That would be a redundant exercise as we can get that information from hospitals.”

Fixing damaged property

In its initial report, SBCA’s technical committee has deemed specific buildings of Iqra City and Rabia Flower apartments as unfit for human occupation. The report said Block D of Iqra City’s Phase I needs to be razed as the structural damage is beyond repair. Block E of Iqra City apartments and Block A of Rabia Flower apartments have also been badly affected by the blast and need considerable repair. The committee added that both these buildings could be rendered fit for human occupation provided that a licenced construction consultant oversees the repair. The committee advised the public to keep their distance from the buildings.

According to Waqar Mehdi, the special assistant to chief minister on media, the government will also announce compensation for all shops and apartments. “Karachi’s commissioner, on the chief minister’s instruction, has formed a committee to assess the damage to buildings so that rehabilitation can be started,” he said. “A six-member committee headed by Qazi Jan Muhammad would assess the damage with the help of the Sindh Building Control Authority’s (SBCA) architects as well as other stakeholders.” Commissioner Zaidi said that an initial survey of the ill-fated building has already been initiated. “We have to find out who authentically lost out and how much. After this, we will determine the cost per house and shop. This will take a few days, not weeks,” he said. “It is just like what we did following the destruction of Bolton Market.”

Temporary measures

Meanwhile, the government has set up a temporary camp for the victims at Lasbela. But the residents who were left without a roof over their head after the blast have refused to move to temporary accommodation, citing security concerns, a government official said on Tuesday. “There are around 50 families and now we are moving them to a government school in Rizvia Society,” said the commissioner. “That is where they will feel secure.”

Published in The Express Tribune, March 5^th, 2013.