Punjab Congress president Capt Amarinder Singh on Monday announced a financial aid of Rs1 lakh each to the kin of seven children killed in a school bus accident near Attari border recently.
The former Chief Minister, who visited the victims’ families, also announced to set up a memorial in the village for the children killed in the tragedy—an announcement already made by the SAD president and Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal.
Amritsar MP also announced a reward of Rs50,000 each to the two MNREGA workers and a student who helped in rescuing the children. “I will also recommend the name of the boy for the National Bravery Award as he had risked his own life to save others,” said Capt Amarinder.
Seven children were killed and 17 others injured when a school bus fell into a canal at Mahawa border out post near Attari border on September 20. The accident occurred while the bus, carrying 37 students of DAV Public School, was crossing a narrow bridge on its way to drop the children home after school.
The former Chief Minister sought registration of an FIR against the school principal and the transport contractor who provides buses to the school.
“The onus lies on the contractor and equally on the school principal who allowed these buses to be run,” he said, adding that the local district transport officer should also be held accountable for allowing such condemned buses on roads.
Capt Amarinder, who visited the accident site and the bridge which was in a dilapidated condition, was told by the locals that there were about 25 such bridges in the area which needed immediate repairs.
“I will be writing to the army commander for their repairs since all these bridges fall under the army’s jurisdiction,” he said while demanding that the government should increase the compensation from Rs1 lakh to Rs10 lakh.