11/7 anniversary: WR has given jobs to kin of 73 who died

Western Railway (WR) officials said on Tuesday, the eve of the sixth anniversary of the 11/7 serial bomb blasts that killed 186 and left 900 injured, that they have given jobs to 73 kin of those who died in the blasts.

Western Railway (WR) officials said on Tuesday, the eve of the sixth anniversary of the 11/7 serial bomb blasts that killed 186 and left 900 injured, that they have given jobs to 73 kin of those who died in the blasts.

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Bombs planted in coaches of seven local trains of WR exploded at Matunga Road, Mahim, Bandra, Santacruz, Jogeshwari, Borivli and Bhayander stations during evening peak hours on July 11, 2006.

Along with payment of ex-gratia and compensation, WR had also announced jobs to the kin of those who died as well as to the injured.

“We have disbursed Rs. 21.83 crore towards ex-gratia and compensation,” said a WR spokesperson.

The process of offering jobs to eligible kin of those who died is still going on. Till date, 73 relatives of those who died have been given jobs and 51 applications seeking jobs |for minors are under consideration.

However, relatives of six persons who died have shown no interest in railway jobs, WR officials said.

The WR administration said there were only 33 injured eligible for appointment for group ‘D’ jobs such as those of peons, cleaners, etc.

Of these, 14 were given appointments and one is still under consideration. The rest of the injured haven’t applied for a job. Two injured – Parag Sawant and Amit Singh – are still undergoing treatment at Hinduja and Jaslok hospitals respectively. WR has spent more than Rs. 2.25 crore on hospital expenses.