Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru (ANK)

Mangaluru, Dec 21: Purushotham Poojary, who was injured in the auto rickshaw cooker blast which occurred on November 19 at Naguri was admitted to a private hospital for treatment. The government will bear the expenses of his treatment, according to an order by the district administration on December 21.

Purushotham’s daughter’s wedding is just two months away and unfortunately he is being treated in the hospital.

It has been a month since the incident occurred, but the family has not received any compensation from the government. Recently, Mohammad Shariq, the accused in the cooker blast incident, who was also injured, was shifted to Bengaluru. Purushotham is being continued to be treated at a private hospital in Mangaluru.

There has to be another 15-20 days of treatment for Purushotham including plastic surgery. Home minister Araga Jnanendra and chief minister Basavaraj Bommai had assured him of compensation which is not released yet. The home minister handed over Rs 50,000 and district in-charge V Sunil Kumar gave Rs 25,000 as personnel contributions. While the district administration has sent the proposal to the government seeking compensation, the government is yet to respond.

Even the home minister had said that the hospital expenses will be handled by the government. The treatment is currently under the expenses under Purushotham’s daughter’s ESI.

After the media reported about issue, the district administration issued an order which says, “So far, the expenses of Purushotham Poojary were borne by his daughter using ESI and the hospital administration have conveyed the family that further treatment will not come under ESI. Hence, the treatment should be continued from the hospital without pressurizing the family to pay the expenses and the amount which was paid through Purushotham’s daughter’s ESI till now will be paid by the government henceforth.”

The Beladingalu Foundation have assured to renovate Purushotham’s house. Apart from it, the family has not got any assistance from the government.

Purushotham is expected to take the responsibility of his daughter’s wedding that is two months away. Responsible officials and the government need to step in and to provide compensation.