Haridwar, Nov 8 (IANS): Uttarakhand Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri and Gayatri Parivar organisation Tuesday both offered a compensation of Rs.2 lakh to the kin of each of the 16 killed in a stampede here.

Arriving from New Delhi after learning about the tragedy earlier in the day, Khanduri expressed his condolences to the grieving families.

He also told a news conference that the Uttarakhand founding day celebrations scheduled for later Tuesday and Wednesday would be scaled down in memory of the 14 women and two men killed in the stampede.

He said Rs.2 lakh would be given to families of those who died.

A similar amount was announced by Gayatri Parivar head Pranav Pandya, who accepted "moral responsibility" for the disaster.

The deaths took place near the bank of the Ganges when thousands of devotees were pressing ahead near a place where yagyas, or fire rituals, were taking place.

On Tuesday, Pandya said the event, orginally set to end Thursday, will now conclude Wednesday morning.