Govt announces 2 lakh compensation to radiation victim's kin

Delhi Government on Wednesday announced a compensation of Rs two lakh to the next of kin of a man who died following exposure to radioactive material at a scrapyard in the city.

Delhi Government on Wednesday announced a compensation of Rs two lakh to the next of kin of a man who died following exposure to radioactive material at a scrapyard in the city.

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Rajender, 35, a worker at a shop in Mayapuri scrap market, had died due to multiple organ failure on Monday at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

"We have sanctioned Rs two lakh to the family of Rajender. The government will also ensure proper education for his children," Health Minister Kiran Walia said.

Rajender was among eight persons who fell ill earlier this month after coming in contact with a radioactive material which was later identified as Cobalt-60.

Asked about steps being taken by the city government to contain such incidents, Walia said government was in the process of procuring an equipment to detect radioactive material.

Cobalt-60 is a radioactive isotope of cobalt, which is a hard, lustrous, grey metal. It is used in cancer therapy machines and other medical equipment.