PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex-gratia to each killed in blasts

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today announced an ex-gratia assistance of Rs two lakh each to the next of kin of those killed and one lakh each to the seriously injured in Mumbai bomb explosions yesterday.

The Prime Minister will also chair a meeting of the Council of Ministers at his 7-Race Course road residence this evening, sources said. The meeting will review the security situation in the country, specifically Mumbai and Delhi, following the bomb explosions yesterday which killed 21 people and injured more than 100.The Prime Minister had yesterday directed Home Minister P Chidambaram and Maharashtra Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan to provide all necessary help to the victims of the blasts and keep him updated of the developments.The Prime Minister who spoke with Mr Chidambaram and Mr Chavan, strongly condemned the blasts and appealed to the people of Mumbai to remain calm and united.