Delhi University to pay compensation to radiation victims

NEW DELHI - The Delhi University (DU) will pay compensation to the six people affected by the radioactive material sourced to it and found in the scrap market of Mayapuri in west Delhi and give a job to the dependents of the man who died, a varsity official said Friday.

Rajendra Prasad’s family will be getting Rs.8 lakh as compensation and his widow will be given a job in the university campus, university Registrar A.K.Sinha said.

“Five victims who were exposed to the radioactive material and hospitalised will be given the compensation amount of Rs.2 lakh each,” he added.

Six people were admitted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) after exposure to radiation and Prasad died of multi-organ failure Monday. One victim was discharged April 20.

Two other victims were admitted to other hospitals. Deepak Jain, a scrap metal dealer from Mayapuri, was the first victim, turning black after he touched the radioactive source. He had a considerably suppressed bone marrow and is undergoing treatment at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital.

Ajay Jain, another scrap metal dealer from Mayapuri, was admitted to Max Hospital in Pitampura April 10. He suffered minor burns and was declared radiation free by the hospital authorities. His condition is being monitored.