Ogra announces compensation for Shahdara inferno incident victims

The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) Wednesday announced compensation for the victims of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) boiler fire incident.

The unfortunate incident had taken place at Shahdara Morr on March 25 this year when an LPG-filled tanker had overturned at the road, causing a raging inferno that engulfed a nearby petrol pump, markets and vehicles parked in the close proximity.

Ogra Spokesman said that one million rupees compensation will be given to the heirs of each deceased, Rs500,000 to each injured, Rs100,000 against each destroyed Chingchi rickshaw and Rs50,000 for each motorbike.

"Provincial authorities have been contacted by Ogra to provide the details of deceased, injured as well as the loss of vehicles and property on which response is awaited," Ogra Spokesperson Imran Ghaznavi said.

"Ogra has imposed fine on the companies involved in LPG boiler accident at Shahdara Morr, Lahore and directed the companies to pay compensation to the people who lost their lives, sustained injuries as well to compensate the loss of property and vehicles during the unfortunate incident," Ogra Spokesman Imran Ghaznavi said in a press note.

The authority in a 'Regulatory Meeting' considered the fact-finding report submitted by LPG Department and directed three Companies/Licensees namely M/s Rana and Company, M/s Engro Vopk Terminal Ltd (EVTL) and M/s Havelet Gas Ltd to pay the compensation (on an equal basis) to the affected parties under relevant rules.

He said the authority also approved to impose a penalty of Rs0.5 million each on the three companies under Rule 29 of the LPG Rules 2001 upon violation of their license conditions as per LPG (Production and Distribution) Rules 2001. This penalty is the maximum penalty according to these rules, Spokesperson said.

He said Ogra is committed to ensure the compliance of safety standards by the licences, guaranteeing the protection of public life and property.–APP