BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced ex-gratia of `two lakh each for the families of those killed in Deogarh bus accident which claimed 27 lives and left 11 critically injured.
"The Chief Minister has ordered an ex-gratia of `two lakh each for the kin of the deceased while those injured in the bus mishap will be provided free medical treatment," an officer in the CMO said. The mishap took place when the bus carrying artistes of an opera troupe, including women and children, was returning to Remta in Bargarh district from Deogarh. The ill-fated vehicle plunged into a gorge in the hilly Tilaebani Gailo Ghat on Sunday evening.
Meanwhile, Minister of State for Transport Ramesh Majhi has sought a report from Deogarh RTO on the accident.
Notice to Owner of Ill-fated Vehicle
Motor Vehicle Inspector, Cuttack, Rashmi Ranjan Dalabehera on Monday issued a show cause notice to owner of the ill-fated bus involved in Deogarh mishap Tapan Mohanty of Nimeisapur under Cuttack Sadar police limits
In the notice, the MVI has directed Mohanty to file details as to how he was running the bus without valid fitness and necessary permit.
Sources said following the mishap, State Transport Commissioner had directed Cuttack RTO Dipti Ranjan Patra to conduct verification of the vehicle. After verification, it was found that fitness certificate of the vehicle bearing registration number OR-05-AB-9535 had expired on April 24, 2015.
It was also revealed that a sum of `5 lakh was pending against Mohanty towards payment of Road Tax up to February, 2014
Sources said Mohanty, after sustaining severe loss, had handed over the bus to a person in Bargarh on contract basis who in turn had engaged the vehicle in the service of opera party Bharati Gananatya. Mohanty, however, had not transferred the ownership of the vehicle.