Himachal Pradesh Promises Compensation for Snakebite Victims' Families

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that the Himachal Pradesh government will consider providing compensation to the families of people who die due to snakebites. The government will amend the Relief Manual and ensure immediate treatment and availability of anti-venom injections. The move comes in response to rising snakebite cases during the rainy season.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced in the state assembly on Wednesday that the Himachal Pradesh government is considering compensation for families of snakebite victims. This comes after increasing cases during the rainy season.

The government plans to amend the Relief Manual and has tasked the revenue minister to study the issue. Health Minister Dhani Ram Shandil assured immediate treatment and anti-venom injection availability at Primary and Community Health Centres, as well as in ambulances.

Currently, 473 anti-venom vials are stocked in Dharamshala. Addressing a shortage of doctors, a lawmaker highlighted two snakebite deaths and demanded Rs 4 lakh compensation for victims' families.

(With inputs from agencies.)