Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for those injured in the building collapse at Transport Nagar in Uttar Pradesh’s Lucknow on Saturday evening.

According to officials, the incident, which involved a three-storeyed medical warehouse collapsing, resulted in the deaths of eight people and left 28 others injured. The injured people were admitted to three hospitals in the Krishna Nagar area, with some already discharged.

PM Modi expressed his grief over the loss of lives due to the building collapse and also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured people.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, “The loss of lives due to a building mishap in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, is saddening. Prayers with those who lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon.”  

“An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000,” he added.

Lucknow’s Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order), Amit Verma, announced that a committee will be formed to investigate the building collapse.

Speaking to news agency ANI, Verma said a committee will investigate the reasons behind the collapse. Structural engineers and experts will provide insights into the cause, he added.

Meanwhile, an FIR has been registered against Rakesh Singhal, the owner of the Harmilap Building in the incident.

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has also directed officials to expedite relief efforts. He had also asked officials to promptly transport the injured to the hospital for proper treatment. CM Yogi has also wished for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Additional Director General of Law and Order Amitabh Yash said that CM Yogi is continuously reviewing the situation and the relief and rescue operations.

The Chief Minister paid his condolences to the people who lost their lives in the incident.

Taking to X, he said the loss of life due to the collapse of a building in Lucknow district is extremely sad and heartbreaking. “My condolences are with the grieving families of the deceased,” he added.

He said instructions have been given to the concerned officials to conduct relief and rescue operations on a war footing and provide proper treatment to the injured. “I pray to Lord Shri Ram to give a place to the departed souls in his feet and provide speedy recovery to the injured,” CM added.

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Sunday arrived in the US on a three-day visit during which he will hold meaningful discussions and insightful conversations to further strengthen the bond between India and America.

In a social media post on X, the Congress party said that Gandhi received a warm and enthusiastic welcome at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.

“I am truly delighted by the warm welcome I’ve received in Dallas, Texas, USA, from the Indian Diaspora and members of the Indian Overseas Congress,” Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said in a Facebook post.

Sharing pictures of his arrival, Gandhi said: “I eagerly look forward to engaging in meaningful discussions and insightful conversations that will further strengthen the bond between our two nations during this visit.”

Indian Overseas Congress chairperson Sam Pitroda said last week that the Opposition leader is not coming to the US in his official capacity but will have a chance to interact with a variety of people on Capitol Hill at an individual level.

Gandhi will have interactions with the press at the National Press Club, he will meet with the think tank people and will also have interaction at Georgetown University which is equally important in Washington DC, Pitroda said of Gandhi’s first visit to the US since assuming the mantle of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

During his visit from September 8-10, the Congress leader would hold numerous interactions in Washington DC and Dallas, including at the University of Georgetown and the University of Texas.

National Conference (NC) leader Omar Abdullah on Saturday alleged that the BJP has struck a deal with some regional parties and independent candidates to form a government in Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing an election rally in Ganderbal assembly segment, the National Conference leader said those who have struck a deal with Delhi will not fulfill the demands of people. “If you need evidence for this, just look at the statement of Home Minister in Jammu yesterday,” he added.

Referring to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s remarks in Jammu, Abdullah said he was silent about Apni Party and People’s Conference during his speech at the BJP’s manifesto launch on Friday.

The NC vice president further said, “I thought he would at least name the party of Engineer Rashid (Awami Ittehad Party) but he did not.”

While releasing the party manifesto in Jammu on Friday, Shah expressed confidence in forming the government in the Union Territory. “There will be no government by the PDP, NC, and Congress ruled by dynasties. Rest possibilities, BJP will explore,” Shah said.

Abdullah is contesting elections from Ganderbal and Budgam assembly segments which will go to vote in the second phase of voting on September 25.

The NC leader reiterated his claim that people who are in jails are specifically contesting against him and cited the names of Awami Ittehad Party’s Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who defeated him in the Lok Sabha polls, and separatist leader Sarjan Ahmad Wagay alias Barkati who is pitted against the NC leader in the upcoming assembly elections.

Abdullah wondered why people in jail were after him and wanted to contest elections against him. What is the reason?” he asked. He had earlier suggested that Barkati, who was from Zainapora, Shopian, was contesting against him as part of a conspiracy from Delhi, hinting again at the Central government.

The erstwhile state Chief Minister Abdullah said it was not a coincidence that these jailed people are contesting elections against him. “They want to target only one person, the National Conference candidate from Ganderbal,” he added.