PM Modi announces Rs 2 lakh for families of deceased, Rs 50,000 for injured in Kolkata Durga Puja stampede

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each person killed in the stampede at the Chorbagan Sarbojanin Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata. The injured will receive Rs 50,000 each from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF).

At least 17 people died and several others were injured in the incident on Saturday evening, October 17. The injured were taken to Calcutta Medical College and Hospital, where West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, Chief Secretary Manoj Agarwal and other senior officials arrived to assess the situation.

Modi expressed condolences to the families of those who lost



their lives and wished the injured a speedy recovery. He said the local administration was providing all possible assistance to those affected.

The Prime Minister announced Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased person and Rs 50,000 for each injured person. The assistance will be provided from the PMNRF.

President Droupadi Murmu expressed her grief over the deaths at the Durga Puja pandal in a post on X.

"The news of the deaths of people in a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata is extremely heartbreaking. I express my deepest condolences to all the bereaved families. I pray for the swift recovery of those who have been injured," she said.