Rs 5 lakh to Chimney victims: BALCO

     Korba, September 25, 2009: Bharat Aluminium Company today announced to give Rs 5 lakh to each of the families of workers, who were killed in September 23 incident of Chimney collapse.

     “For natural reasons one of the chimneys of the 1200 MW power plant of BALCO collapsed, in which most unfortunately several of the workers were killed,” Chief Executive Officer of the BALCO Gunjan Gupta said in a statement here.

     Various agencies, including BALCO and the District Administration, are engaged in clearing the debris on war footing, he said adding personnel from Korba Municipality, Labour Unions, SECL, NTPC, CSEB and Lanko are working day and night to complete the rescue and relief works.

     The BALCO management would provide Rs 5 lakh to families of each of the workers, who were killed in that incident, Gupta said.

    The BALCO CEO also appealed to the people and workers to have patience and work unitedly at this critical juncture.

     Meanwhile, officials said at least 38 bodies have been retrieved from the debris so far and toll may exceed further.