If Cost of Death Escalates, will the State Invest in Keeping its Citizens Alive?

Acute Angle

- Anand Neelakantan

The tragic air accident in Ahmedabad involving the Air India flight has shocked the world. Air travel is one of the safest modes of transport, and when such a tragedy occurs, it is heartbreaking. Although nothing can compensate for the loss of life of the dear ones, Air India's parent company, Tata, has announced a compensation of ₹1 crore for the families of the victims. Though this may appear generous, under the international Montreal Convention, the airline is liable to pay a compensation amounting to 1,51,880 Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) per deceased passenger. This translates to approximately ₹1.8 crore at the current exchange rates to the next of kin. It is unclear whether the Tata offer is in addition to the mandatory payment of ₹1.8 crore as per law.

A few days before the tragic air accident, some passengers of Mumbai's infamous local trains fell off the overcrowded compartments and died. These were daily commuters struggling to make a living in one of the world's most prosperous cities. The Maharashtra government promptly announced a compensation of ₹5 lakhs. Railways have remained silent so far, but as per the Railways Act of 1989, the Railways are bound to give a compensation of ₹8 lakh. For this, the kin of the victim will have to file a claim with the Railway Claims Tribunal, and the compensation may take many years to be fruitful, if at all. On an average, the passengers in an international flights are wealthier than an average commuter in a Mumbai local.

The disparity in compensation between the two sets of victims is glaring. All lives are equal, but some lives are more equal in our society.