Injured Kalina lady is finally compensated by BMC

About a month ago, we had reported about a Kalina resident, Annie Fernandes (37), who sustained grievous injuries when a tree fell on her. The BMC drew flak for the incidents and it decided to take action on the housing societies. Prior to that, a month ago, Annie Fernandes, a widow residing at Kolivery Village, Kalina while crossing the road a tree fell on her. She was grievously injured and was lying at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Hospital where she underwent treatment. Annie being a widow lost her husband about 3 months ago and has a 2 year-old child. Her father works as an employee in the office of Our Lady of Egypt Church, Kalina.

After the accident, the Asst. Commissioner and Engineer, Garden dept visited the site. But when the time came to paying the injured lady compensation it is alleged that the Asst. Commissioner showed reluctance. However, Rev. Fr. Adrian Ferreira, Parish Priest, Our Lady of Egypt, Kalina intervened and shot a letter to the Corporator, Alice Therattil. After a lot of persuasion and follow-up by Alice Therattil with the Mayor, garden Dept of BMC, Municipal Commissioner, Anand Walhalkar, AMC and C.B.Rokade, DMC she finally managed to get an amount of Rs 50,000 cleared by BMC.

It was on 6^th December; Corporator Alice Therattil  finally handed over  a cheque of Rs 50,000 from BMC to Annie at her residence since she is still not in a movable condition. Being a widow Annie is still in financial difficulties since for no fault of hers she had to undergo huge medical expenses and liability. However, corporator Alice Therattil taking into consideration of her huge financial liability has requested the BMC to provide further assistance through other funds of Mumbai Mahanagarpalika.

Santacruz Patrika had also raised the question - When BMC is ready to pay Rs one Lakh compensation to relatives of dead and Rs 50,000 to injured. Hence, in this case - Why should Annie Fernandes not be compensated by BMC? While elaborating Alice Therattil spoke to Santacruz Patrika and said, “After a lot of persuasion with BMC I finally managed to get compensation paid to Annie Fernandes.”