CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Sunday announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh each to the family members of those who were killed in an accident involving two buses in Tarn Taran.
He also appealed to opposition parties not to politicise an issue, asserting that such incidents should not be turned into political controversies.
Replying to a question on the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issuing conditional summons to the Punjab chief secretary in the matter, Mann said this incident should not be attributed to any fault on the part of the government.
Five people, including four pilgrims, were killed and more than 15 others injured after two Punjab government-run pilgrimage buses collided on National Highway-54 near Naushehra Pannuan in Tarn Taran district on Saturday.
The buses were carrying pilgrims under the state government's 'Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra Scheme', with 37 people travelling in them.
The accident occurred when the driver of one of the buses, in an attempt to avoid a motorcycle, crossed the road divider and collided with an oncoming bus travelling in the opposite direction.
Mann announced financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the family members of those who were killed and Rs 1 lakh each to the injured in the accident.
The NHRC issued conditional summons to the Punjab chief secretary for personal appearance over the bus tragedy.
In October, the NHRC had issued a notice regarding safety issues involving buses operating under the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme. It then directed the inspection of all buses and immediate withdrawal of those violating safety norms.
Punjab BJP chief Kewal Singh Dhillon slammed the AAP government over the accident, alleging it was not merely a road accident but a tragedy resulting from "gross negligence" on the part of the government machinery.
Speaking to reporters in Amritsar, CM Mann called it an unfortunate incident.
Replying to a question on the National Human Rights Commission issuing conditional summons to the Punjab chief secretary, Mann said it was an accident.
"It is deeply unfortunate that such a tragic incident has taken place, but it should not be politicised. The incident should not be attributed to any fault on the part of the government. The Punjab government remains committed to the safety and well-being of every citizen," said Mann.
He said over 7 lakh pilgrims benefited from the Mukh Mantri Tirath Yatra scheme through 17,000 bus journeys to various religious destinations across the country, including Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib, Haridwar-Rishikesh, Khatu Shyam and Mathura-Vrindavan.
"More than 70 buses operate every day under this scheme, facilitating the pilgrimage of over 3,000 devotees daily. Thousands of journeys have been successfully completed, and such an unfortunate incident had never occurred during these trips," he said.
Expressing deep shock and anguish over the accident, Mann said this is an extremely painful incident.
"I share the grief of the bereaved families and stand firmly with them in this difficult hour. The Punjab government will provide Rs 5 lakh financial assistance to the family of each person who lost their life and Rs 1 lakh to every injured person. The entire medical treatment of the injured will be provided free of cost."
He added that the civil and police administrations had already been directed to extend all possible assistance to the affected families and ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.
Highlighting the contribution of the Punjab government's Sadak Surakhya Force (SSF), Mann said that the force had played a significant role in reducing road accidents and saving precious lives across the state through its prompt emergency response and road safety interventions.
He reiterated that the Punjab government stood with the affected families and would ensure that every possible assistance was extended to them during this difficult time.