Hooda meets Rohtak fire victims’ kin, seeks higher compensation from government

Accompanied by local Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra, Hooda expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assessed the damage suffered by local businesses

Former Haryana chief minister and leader of the Opposition (LoP) Bhupinder Singh Hooda on Friday met shopkeepers and families affected by the recent arson incident at D-Park of Rohtak city.

Former Haryana CM and LoP Bhupinder Singh Hooda visits fire-affected shops at D-Park Market in Rohtak on Friday. (Manoj Dhaka/HT)

Accompanied by local Congress MLA Bharat Bhushan Batra, Hooda expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and assessed the damage suffered by local businesses.

While speaking to the media, the LoP termed the ₹10 lakh compensation to the next of kin of the deceased announced by chief minister Nayab Singh Saini, along with the ₹2 lakh announced by the Haryana governor, as inadequate. He demanded full compensation for all victims, the reconstruction of damaged shops, and a government job for one member of each bereaved family.

Hooda alleged that the losses could have been reduced had the fire department been properly equipped. Citing staff shortages, he added that nearly half of the firefighter posts in Haryana remain vacant and recruitment has been pending for over two years.

Hooda said that the government must strengthen fire services and ensure adequate manpower and equipment to prevent loss of life and property in such incidents.