Injured construction workers yet to get compensation

Nine out of 14 labourers, who sustained injuries in the building collapse in Kasavanahalli,  will be discharged from the hospital on Wednesday with empty pockets. For, they have not been handed any compensation by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP).

Four workers were killed and 14 sustained injuries after a five-storey building, half of which was under construction, collapsed at Jayaramareddy Layout in Kasuvanahalli on Sarjapur Road in Bengaluru on February 15.

Painter Ram Nivas, one of injured, said from the hospital that BBMP has not given them any compensation even six  days after the incident. Hospital and other NGOs were giving them food and he is completely blank on what to do after getting discharged. He has fractured both legs in the incident and he is unable to stand on his own feet.

Raghuveer, another injured, said that their luggage was in the building. The little money they saved got buried under the debris. Even the contractor had not given them the balance amount. "We want to go back to our village and train fare cost us Rs 2,000 to 2,500 and if anyone helps us, we just go to our homes,'' he said.

None of the BBMP officials have met them in six days.

Nothing to injured

Sources in the BBMP said that Bengaluru Development minister K J George announced Rs 5 lakh compensation to the deceased and he did not announce anything to the injured so BBMP is not giving any compensation to the injured except barring the medical expenses.  

Of the 14 injured 11 had admitted in Standford Hospital. Three other labourers were sent to Sakra Hospital.

Sylvia, administrator of the Sandford hospital, said that except Vikas Kanujiya and Moharam Ansari the remaining nine will be discharged on Wednesday.  

Bharathi Mani, a member of Bellandur WhatApp Group - 'Helping Hand' - said   they along with  residents of  Sarjapur Road and Bellandur have collected some money. "We will give the money to them when they are discharged so that they can at least reach homes and not end up begging on the streets.''