NBTC MD says company is 'so sorry'; promises Rs 8 lakh plus 4 years' salary to every victim's family
Kuwait Fire
Kochi, Jun 15: K G Abraham, MD of Kuwait-based NBTC Group, whose workers died in the fire accident in one of its accommodations in the Gulf nation, on Saturday said the incident was unfortunate, and the company will take care of the victims' families.
Addressing the media here after three days of the tragic fire that killed 49 people, Abraham became emotional and said "we are so sorry".
"We are so sorry. I was crying in my house. I know most of them. There were people working with us for more than 27 years. What happened was really unfortunate," he said.
Abraham said that his company directors and managers are currently visiting each and every family member of the deceased and are expressing their grief.
"This was not any mistake on our part, but still we will take responsibility. They were living and working with us. They built the company. They are our family," Abraham said.
He said discussions were going on with the Embassies for the process of disbursing the compensation.
"We will soon disperse Rs eight lakh as compensation and they will also receive the company insurance amount. We are concerned about the families and will support them and provide jobs," he added.
Abraham also dismissed the allegations that the building was overcrowded.
He said the leased building had 24 apartments with three bedrooms each and there were only around 160 employees housed there.
"As per the reports there, the incident happened due to a short-circuit in the security guard's room on the ground floor. There was no gas explosion as some claimed. There was no cooking in the building," he said.
Abraham said the building was not that old and the accommodation and food for its employees were free.
He said as the deaths occurred due to an accident, the victims' families would receive an insurance amount worth four years' salary.
NBTC had earlier in a statement said it was greatly "shocked and saddened by the tragic incident" in one of its residential accommodations at Mangaf in Kuwait.
The building in Kuwait that caught fire killed 49 people on June 12. Currently, 40 people are under treatment.
Abraham, a prominent businessman from Niranam in Pathanamthitta district is a partner and managing director of the NBTC group.
According to the Central Travancore Chamber of Commerce and Industry website, NBTC is the biggest construction group in Kuwait.
It also said that Abraham is the chairman of Crowne Plaza, Kochi which is a five-star category hotel.
He is the founder and chairman of KGA Group which owns the prominent five-star property in Kochi among other establishments.
Abraham is also into movie production and recently co-produced a Malayalam survival drama 'Adujeevitham' (Goat Life) which narrates the life of an Indian migrant worker in a Gulf nation.
Established in 1977, NBTC is into engineering and construction, fabrication and machining, technical services, heavy equipment leasing, logistics, hotel, and retailing.
Apart from the company's assistance, the Kerala government had announced an amount of Rs five lakh each to the families of the deceased persons from the state.
The Central government has also announced financial assistance of Rs two lakh to the families of the deceased.
Prominent business houses have also announced financial aid to bereaved families.
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Inappropriate for MLAs seeking free IPL tickets, says D.K. Suresh
Bengaluru: Bengaluru Milk Union Ltd President D.K. Suresh on Monday said it is inappropriate for MLAs to seek free IPL tickets, adding that those interested in watching matches should pay for them personally.
Speaking to reporters near his residence in Sadashivanagar, he said, “IPL is a commercial tournament and does not represent the country. It is not right for public representatives to focus too much on such matters.”
Referring to the recent controversy during the RCB celebrations, he said, “let us find out who benefited the most from the statements made during the incident.” He also pointed out that BJP MLAs had received IPL tickets as well.
Responding to discussions about relocating the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Suresh said the government has already approved the construction of a new stadium at a location he had proposed.
“I had suggested building a stadium in Surya City and submitted a proposal for it. Bengaluru needs four stadiums in four directions to cater to its growing population and encourage youth participation in sports,” he said.
He noted that apart from Kanteerava Stadium, KSCA, and the Football Stadium, there are limited facilities in the city.
“When I was a Lok Sabha member, I had proposed allocating 100 acres in my constituency at Surya City. The land was later earmarked and the plan approved,” he added.
Suresh said he has discussed the project with Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, Rajiv Gandhi Housing Corporation Chairman Shivalingegowda, and Anekal MLA Shivanna.
“The Cabinet has now approved the project, and a stadium will be developed on around 50–60 acres,” he said.
He further added that he has requested the Deputy Chief Minister to build another stadium at Shivarama Karanth Layout through the BDA, where 40 acres have been allocated. Plans are also being discussed to develop a well-equipped stadium in Bidadi.
Commending state government's recent bilingual policy move, Suresh said forcing children to learn three languages could affect their comprehension.
“It is a good decision to make two languages compulsory. Learning a third language should be left to the choice of students and parents,” he said.
Responding to criticism from BJP leaders, he said their tendency is to oppose every decision of the government.
“To please their central leadership, they take a pro-Hindi stance. Instead, they should advocate for the adoption of Kannada in all states,” he said.
When asked about the earlier three-language policy under Congress, he said, “the situation is different now. Today, the focus should be on quality learning. Kannada should remain the primary language, while students and parents can choose an additional language.”
