Compensation for injury and death
The amount paid as compensation (Rs 715 crores, $450 million) has multiplied as a result of the increase in the value of the dollar and the accruing interest. Rs 910 crores ($570 million) has been paid to 400,000 claimants (four lakh) and a balance of about Rs 1100 crores ($690 million) remains to be distributed.

Problems with distribution
The procedures for compensation disbursement have been tortuous and thoroughly unjust. More than 90% of the claimants have been paid less than Rs 25,000 ($595) as compensation for personal injuries, out of which nearly Rs 10,000 ($238) has been routinely deducted against interim monetary relief paid by the government from 1990. The remaining money does not even cover half the recent medical expenses incurred by the claimants let alone provide for the future.

(Exchange rates are calculated according to figures given below. See table. With 90% of the injured being paid well under the figures given above, we make an average - which errs on the generous side - of $500 compensation for personal injury. Over the nearly 18 years that have now elapsed, this works out at about 7 cents a day - even in the poor bastis of Bhopal this is perhaps enough for a cup of tea.)

A large number of the young people affected by the gas have no documents to show that they are victims and so will not qualify for the benefits that may be offered.

"Reduction" of claims
Of the 14,775 death claims adjudicated, 65% have been rejected or converted into personal injury cases. Judges at the claim courts are ignorant of the medical consequences of toxic exposure and the administration of compensation is riddled with corruption so that the claimants' inability to pay bribes often results in denial of compensation.

In response to an official announcement for fresh registration of claims in December 1996, over 400,000 (4 lakh) claims have been filed - the majority of them by persons residing outside the gas affected area, including elite neighborhoods. As a result, genuine victims will be the ultimate losers in the disbursement of compensation.

Compensation figures

Approx exchange rate: 70 rupees = 1 UK Pound, 42 Rupees = 1 US Dollar.

COMPLAINT	AMOUNT IN RUPEES
A. Eyes
1. Chronic conjunctivitis	35,000
2. Cornial opacities	50,000-55,000
B. Respiratory diseases
1. Abnormal P.F.T.	40,000
1a. U.R.I.	35,000
2. Chronic bronchitis	35,000
3. Asthma	45,000
4. Pleural effusion	45,000
5. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease/ chronic obstructive airways disease	50,000-55,000
5a. Interstitial fibrosis of the lungs	40,000-50,000
6. Emphysema	60,000-65,000
7. Bronchiactasis	60,000-65,000
8. Alvyolytis	60,000-65,000
9. Corpulmonale	80,000-85,000
10. Pulmonary tuberculosis i. unilateral infiltration ii. bilateral infiltration	45,000-55,000 55,000-65,000
C. Gastrointestinal tract
1. Gastritis	35,000
2. Peptic acid disease	40,000
2a. Hyper acidity or recurrent digestive symptoms (RDS)	35,000
D. Musculo-skeletal system
1. Myalgia	35,000
E. Psychosomatic diseases
1. Anxiety	35,000
2. Depression	35,000
F. B and D without any specified disease	35,000

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