AWB PAPAA 305

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Relatives of victims still waiting for compnsation

After the sinking of the 'AWB Papaa 305' with 273 people on board in the Arabian Sea in the severe cyclonic storm Tauktae, 70 kilometres southwest of Mumbai, in pos. 18 31 54.0 N, 72 14 31.2 E on May 17, 2021, in which over 70 people lost their lives, some of the victim's relatives were allegedly still awaiting compensation. The vessel was carrying 261 crew members when Tauktae hit, some of whom were working for Mathew Associates, a firm which was subcontracted by AFCONS for its workforce. The sinking was the result of negligence on part of senior officials including the director of a shipping firm. According to family members of the victims, the barge was not in a good condition while it was carrying on with its daily operations. Despite several warnings of the cyclone, it did not return in time to the shore, causing the sinking. As Indian press reported, the Chief Engineer of the barge also claimed that the Captain had ignored the warnings of bad weather and on top of that, 14 life-rafts had holes in them. Shortly after the disaster, ONGC and AFCONS announced a rapid relief of Rs.2,00,000 and Rs.5,00,000, respectively, to the families who had lost their members. AFCONS had also announced that each family member will be compensated for the death of their loved ones with Rs.35-75 lakhs to each family along with a pension. But, one affected family member, whose 23-year-old son died on the duty alleged, AFCONS has not just delayed the compensation but has changed it to just Rs.15 lakh. A sister of the 26-year-old engineer from Bihar who was employed by Mathew Associates, got not paid the promised Rs.75 lakh till now, instead they were calling her to Mumbai like other families for a reduced compensation of Rs.15 lakh. Another affected family member, who was six months pregnant when her husband - a welder for AFCONS - died in the incident, reportedly said that AFCONS offered her Rs.14 lakh, but they did so by informing that sge would neither get any Provident Fund (PF) money nor any pension.