5.25 lakh Bhopal gas tragedy victims left out of compensation: Minister

Madhya Pradesh Bhopal gas tragedy relief and rehabilitation minister Babulal Gaur today said he has informed Union home minister P Chidambaram that the Rs750 crore compensation announced for the victims will reach only 8% of the affected people.

"I told him (Chidambaram) that 5.25 lakh victims have been left out of the compensation package of this year announced by the Central government on the recommendation of GoM, headed by him," Gaur said at a press conference.

"I have asked Chidambaram to ensure that the compensation is disbursed among the victims from December 15-March 31," he said.

Gaur said he had met some Union ministers on the 26th anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy on December 3 in Delhi and sought help for the state's development.

The minister said that the Centre will set up Asia's biggest research centre in Bhopal.

"Asia's biggest research centre to study the affect of Bhopal gas tragedy on the people and carry out other studies will be opened in Bhopal," he said.