LIC softens claim process for victims of Balasore Tragedy

The Life Insurance Corporation of India popularly known as LIC announced a financial relief to those affected by the tragic train accident in Balasore. Chairperson of LIC, Shri Siddhartha Mohanty expressed grief and said “Our hearts go out to the victims and their families.” Siddhartha Mohanty announced many concessions to mitigate the hardships of the claimants of LIC Policies and also of Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.

“In lieu of registered death certificates, a list of casualties published by Railway Authorities, Police, or any State or Central Government Authorities will be accepted as proof of death. Special Help Desk has been set up at the Divisional and Branch level to respond to claim-related queries and for assisting claimants”, said the LIC chairperson in a recent press release.

“All efforts will be taken to ensure that the claimants are reached out and claims are settled expeditiously to the affected families. The claimants may also call our call center – 02268276827”, further added in the press release by LIC.

As per recent reports, over 288 died and at least 1100 people survived serious injuries in the recent train tragedy near Balasore.

On Friday, at around 7 pm, near the Bahanaga Bazar station in Balasore, The Shalimar-Chennai Central Coromandel Express is believed to have had a collision with a stationary goods train. From a different track, Bengaluru-Howrah Superfast Express got crashed into the derailed compartments soon after the initial crash.

The two passenger trains, travelling at a high speed believed to be carrying almost 2000 passengers on board. 17 coaches were derailed leaving the tragic accident behind. As per the preliminary probe, a signal was given to Coromandel Express to enter the main line but it was taken off and the train entered the loop line, where it crashed into a goods train parked there.

Ashwini Vaishnaw, Railways minister said, “The commissioner of railway safety has investigated the matter and let the investigation report come but we have identified the cause of the accident and the people responsible for it. It happened due to a change in electronic interlocking.”