Demand to pay advance compensation to affected families of Baghjan BGN5 oil well

DOOMDOOMA: On May 27, 2020, a terrible oil explosion occurred at the Baghjan BGN5 oil well. The incident caused damage to people’s homes, agricultural land, natural environment, fauna and fisheries. There were various agitations and petitions seeking compensation for the damage. The residents of Baghjan were deprived of proper compensation. The issue of compensation for the Baghjan incident reached the Supreme Court.

According to the tripartite agreement between Milon Jyoti Youth Sangha, Oil India Limited (OIL) and the Tinsukia district administration, Oil India agreed to pay an advance of Rs 25-Rs 20 lakh to the Bagjan affected families, i.e Rs 25 lakh to the most affected families and Rs 20 lakh to the slightly less affected families. Members of Milan Jyoti Youth Sangha in a press meet held at Tinsukia on Wednesday said that Oil India cheated the families of the victims of Baghjan by settling the compensation issue by paying Rs 15-Rs 10 lakh. The issue of Baghjan compensation was filed before the Supreme Court. The six-member team from Baghjan led by Manoj Hazarika filed IA No- 135265/2021 in Banani Kakkar Case No. 2201/2021 with the full cooperation of the people of Baghjan and the issue of compensation for Baghjan gained new momentum in the Supreme Court.

The bench of Justice DY Chandrachud of the Supreme Court on September 21, 2022 issued an order to pay compensation to the responsible institutions. Unfortunately, that order was not implemented either. Again, in the Supreme Court on January 23, 2023, a three-member bench headed by Chief Justice Chandrachud directed the NGT to immediately resolve the issue of advance compensation to the victims of Baghjan within two months.

The members of Milan Jyoti Youth Sangha said that the government and Oil India Limited should immediately release the advance compensation to the families affected by the Baghjan blowout. The NGT Principal Bench issued an order on August 8, 2023 to pay advance compensation to the affected people of Baghjan after filing MA application with social worker Manoj Hazarika and Nirant Gohain from Natun Rangagara village Therefore, the residents of Baghjan and the affected families should be paid advance compensation as soon as possible, said the members.

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