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Chandigarh 03^rd July:- Vijay Kumar Dev, IAS, Adviser to the Administrator, UT, Chandigarh, Mrs. Poonam Sharma, Mayor, Mrs. Bhawna Garg, IAS, Commissioner and M.P. Kohli, Chairman, Fire & Emergency Services Committee, MC today handed over the cheques of compensation to the families of three firemen, who had sacrificed their lives during the fire fighting operations in Chandigarh. Other councilors and officers of Municipal Corporation were also present during the occasion.

Cheque of Rs. 20 lakhs has been given to Smt. Gurmeet Kaur, mother of late Amandeep Singh, fireman and cheque of Rs. 6,99,837/- has been given to Smt. Santa Rani, wife of late Ravinder Kumar Sharma, leading hand fireman thus totaling the compensation to Rs. 20 lakhs. They both were on the posted strength of Fire and Emergency service of Municipal Corporation, Chandigarh and 3 BRD Air Force, respectively. Both the firemen sacrificed their lives while dousing the fire at National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) in Sector 17, Chandigarh on 8^th June, 2014. Besides payment of compensation of Rs. 3 lakhs already paid, a cheque of Rs. 17 lakhs has been given to Smt. Manjit Kaur, wife of late Amarjit Singh Mavi, who lost his life while fighting fire valiantly which had broke out in Sector 22 house, Chandigarh on 14^th October, 2008. His bravery saved many precious lives and property.

While addressing the firemen at Fire Station, sector 17 here today, the Adviser praised the firemen for their crucial role in saving many precious lives and property. He said that the sacrifices made by the firemen were full of velour and exhibiting their devotion to duty which will inspire other fire fighting personnel. He asked the concerned officers for early disposal of the matters regarding facilities to be provided to the firemen. He said that regular professional trainings (whichever required) be imparted to the firemen to enhance their professional skills. He emphasized the need to ensure regular mock drills and physical fitness of Fire fighting personnel.

During the occasion Mayor said that on the occasion of Republic day function she had promised the families of the firemen who had lost their lives in fire incidents for giving compensation and the same has been accomplished. She appreciated support of the Adviser Vijay Kumar Dev for deciding the compensation amount. She further said that the MC will also provide insurance facilities to the operational staff of Fire and Emergency Services of Municipal Corporation. The staff will also get compensation in case of disability. She added that the nature of duty of the employees of Fire wing, especially operational staff, is very risky and unsafe. In case of any mishappening, the family of the deceased employee of the Fire Department faces a lot of hardshi.

The premium of the said policy will be paid by the Municipal department insurance cover in case of death is Rs. 20 lakhs, disability from 75 per cent to 100 percent is Rs. 10 lakhs, 50 percent to 75 percent is Rs. 7.5 lakh, 20 percent to 50 percent is Rs. 5 lakhs.

The insurance cover would only be available in case of employees who take part in any Fire and Emergency call from the movement of departure to the movement of reporting back on duty after completing of the call.