K'taka CM offers ₹5L ex gratia to next of kin of deceased in building collapse

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Thursday announced an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh each to the next of kin of each deceased in a building collapse here, and said the government will bear the full medical expenses of those injured.

Faced with criticism over his government's handling of the situation in the rainbattered city, he said the worst-hit Yelahanka received 170 mm rainfall on a single day. It was the first time such a very heavy rain lashed the area in 125 years, but his government is not shedding responsibility citing record rains, and efforts are on to restore normalcy.

The building collapse incident, which claimed eight lives, was not due to the impact of rain, but owing to shoddy construction work, the CM said, adding, the building was constructed in a revenue layout unauthorisedly without taking any licence, and officials are being held responsible for it.

Siddaramaiah said eight people have been rescued.