The families of the Rana Plaza victims – who were recently identified through DNA tests – are still waiting for financial assistance, although the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has already received the “Inheritance Verification Reports” on the victims.
Out of 157 individuals, the identities of 155 were confirmed by the offices of deputy commissioners of the respective districts after visiting the addresses given against the victims’ names. One address was found to be wrong, while the other could not be verified by anyone.
It has been learnt that as part of the PMO’s plan to provide financial assistance to the lawful heirs in phases, a list of 132 victims has been prepared for the first phase. The victims’ families would receive between Tk100,000 to Tk500,000, based on the number of family members who depended on the victims.
However, sources said although the cheques were ready, those could not be delivered to the relatives because of the ongoing political turmoil.
Dr Julfikar Lenin, director (hospital) of the PMO, confirmed receiving the verification reports and said the prime minister would hand over the cheques herself if possible, or else it would be distributed through the offices of the DCs as soon as possible.
Earlier in November, the identities of 157 victims among the 322 unidentified bodies from the Rana Plaza disaster were determined through DNA tests at the National DNA Profiling Laboratory of the Dhaka Medical College Hospital.
While disclosing the DNA test result before the media, Labour Secretary Mikail Shiper had said the identities of the remaining 165 unidentified victims would be disclosed in phases, while the head of the DNA laboratory also expressed hopes that a second list of identities would be provided within November 30.
Seeking anonymity, a senior official of the labour ministry said the test could not be completed because of a shortage of specialized chemical materials needed for the DNA tests.
An official of the DNA lab also told the Dhaka Tribune: “They bought certain amount of the chemicals for a year. As the DNA test of Rana Plaza victims needed much chemical use, the chemical stock ended before time. Besides, the other shipment of the chemical was also delayed.” However, the official expressed hopes that the required chemicals would arrive within this month.
The PMO and the BGMEA, the apex body of apparel makers and exporters, have reportedly so far donated over Tk300m to the victims of Rana Plaza disaster.
The PMO has donated more than Tk188.56m from the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund to the families of 777 deceased, as well as 31 victims who lost their limbs.
The BGMEA has also reportedly donated more than Tk125.5m to a total of 2,785 victims.
At least 1,134 people were killed and thousands more were injured when the nine-storey Rana Plaza in Savar collapsed on April 24 this year.
