Money ready, but wait continues for waiter’s family

Rs 5 lakh compensation deposited month ago in Nepal Bank by state government, but wife of deceased waiter Gokul Nepali may have to wait another week before she can complete formalities

Money ready, but wait continues for waiter's family

Rs 5 lakh compensation deposited month ago in Nepal Bank by state government, but wife of deceased waiter Gokul Nepali may have to wait another week before she can complete formalities

The family of German Bakery waiter Gokul Nepali, who died in the blast that ripped through the popular joint in Koregaon Park last year on the eve of Valentine's Day, must wait some more to receive the compensation even though the money has been released by the state government.

The compensation was deposited in Nepal Bank a month ago, but Gokul's wife Maina and his ailing mother Juthi are yet to see the money promised to them long ago as they are not yet done with the paperwork.

Gokul's uncle Subha said the wife and mother of the deceased need to submit documents to the district office, after which the money will be released.

Maina said she was expecting the money to be in her hands in a week. "I am going to give my mother-in-law half the amount. And with my share I will start a general store back home," she said.

Gopal Kirkee, the former manager of German Bakery, said he was in touch with Gokul's family. He said Gokul's wife and mother were struggling to make ends meet and the money would come as a relief as it had been a year since they lost the breadwinner of the family. "I have advised Maina and Juthi to keep some of the money for their future," he said.

Six months ago a compensation of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund was awarded to the family after they furnished documents related to their citizenship. Now what Maina and Juthi are waiting for is the Rs 5 lakh released recently by the state government.

The release of the compensation was delayed by procedures. The state government had sent a cheque to the External Affairs Ministry, but it reached the Nepal Embassy after a considerable delay.