India hikes compensation for Bhopal victims (Factfile)

NEW DELHI - India Thursday announced a hike in compensation for the Bhopal gas tragedy victims and also said it is examining ways to extradite then Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson, whom a Bhopal court has declared a proclaimed offender.

Facts at a glance -

* Rs.1,000,000 would be paid to the next of kin of the dead, Rs.500,000 to those suffering permanent disability and Rs.200,000 to those suffering from cancer or renal failure and Rs. 100,000 to those with temporary disability. This move will help 45,000 people and it will cost government Rs.650-700 crore.

* Request for extradition of Warren Anderson

* A curative petition will be filed in the Supreme Court for reconsideration of its 1996 judgment by which the charges under the graver sections of the IPC were quashed against the accused and the trial was confined to an offence under Section 304A.

* The attorney general will examine whether a curative petition could be filed in the Supreme Court for reconsideration of the compensation amount earlier settled at US $470 million.

*Courts, especially the high court, to expeditiously decide the question of liability of the Dow Chemicals Company or any successor to Union Carbide.

* Indian Council of Medical Research will conduct epidemiological studies and clinical research and government will bear the cost of the remediation of approximately Rs.310 crore.

* The remediation works, including disposal of the stored hazardous residues, dismantling the contaminated structure and remediation of the contamination of water and soil will be taken up and completed by Dec 31, 2012.