In the aftermath of the horrific collision on NH-31 that killed 13 people in Katihar, political tension has surfaced regarding the adequacy of the government’s compensation policy. Sunil Yadav, the Congress District President (Rural), has formally challenged the announced Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia, labeling it as insufficient for the loss of human life. Advocating for the victims, who largely hail from economically vulnerable backgrounds, Yadav has demanded that the compensation be increased to Rs 5 lakh for the deceased and Rs 2 lakh for the injured.
Yadav emphasized that most of the victims were the primary breadwinners for their families and that their sudden loss would lead to long-term financial instability. Consequently, he has urged the state government to provide employment to at least one member of each bereaved family. Furthermore, serious allegations have emerged that the bus driver was operating under the influence of alcohol at the time of the impact. Yadav has called for immediate criminal charges against both the driver and the vehicle’s owner, while the police continue to verify these claims through their ongoing investigation.
