Rs10 lakh ex-gratia to kin of boy who died in gate collapse

NT Correspondent Bengaluru: A total of Rs. 10 lakh in ex-gratia has been promised to the family of Niranjan, who died after the gate of a playground in the city collapsed on him on Sunday, September 22. The 11-year-old was trying to enter the Raja Shankara playground on Link road in Malleshwaram run by the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) when the gate fell on him. He later succumbed to severe head and ear injuries. Th ex-gratia announcement was made by Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Development Minister D K Shivakumar who visited the family of the deceased on Pipeline Road near Palace Guttahalli.

State Health and Family Welfare Minister and Gandhinagar Congress MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao was also present. While Rs 5 lakh of the ex-gratia amount will be borne by the BBMP, Rs. 5 lakh will be provided by the Gandhinagar Block Congress unit. The deceased's family has pledged to donate Niranjan’s eyes. Addressing reporters outside his residence, Shivakumar said a report on all BBMP playgrounds is expected soon, and a gate inspection will be conducted in all parks and grounds. The R Gundu Rao foundation, run by Dinesh Gundu Rao, has pledged to fund the education of the deceased's younger sister.