Governor Satya Pal Malik, on Thursday, nominated the Kishtwar’s additional deputy commissioner (ADC) as the local guardian of the 3-years girl child Adeeba who was orphaned in a bus mishap on 1 July.
The Governor ordered that the ADC will be the child’s local guardian until she attains adulthood.
Adeeba’s father Akhtar Hussain, mother Ruksana Begum and her two brothers were among the 35 passengers on board the ill-fated mini-bus that plunged into a deep gorge in the Kishtwar district.
The 17 critically injured persons airlifted here for treatment at the medical college hospital were being looked after by their relatives while some NGO volunteers were taking care of the traumatised child. An uncle of Adeeba reached here on Wednesday from Leh.
Malik announced a special assistance of Rs 2 lakh as a solatium from the Regional Red Cross. This was besides the ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh to the kin of each killed.
The special assistance shall be in the shape of a fixed deposit. Governor has also announced monthly assistance of Rs 1200, for the next 15 years, to be credited in the account of the girl child.
This assistance will be over and above the normal ex gratia compensation announced by the Government. Adeeba shall also be rendered social and financial assistance through the Integrated Child Protection Scheme.
District administration, in consultation with civil society, shall ensure that a permanent caregiver shall also be identified for her upbringing in a healthy, conducive and amenable environment.
District administration has been directed by the Governor to take all measures that are required for a secure and healthy childhood of Adeeba.
Adeeba’s uncle, Mohammad Amin, said that the family was travelling in the ill-fated bus to Kishtwar from Keswan where they had come to celebrate Eid.