Bhopal:  Madhya Pradesh will spend Rs.30 million perannum for the treatment of cancer patients afflicted with the disease after theBhopal gastragedy - over four times the amount it spends at present. 

This would be effective from the coming fiscal (2007-08). 

"The existing fund of Rs.7 million earmarked for thetreatment of the affected cancer patients was insufficient. So it will beincreased to Rs.30 million from the next financial year," said Gas ReliefMinister Babulal Gaur. 

"Hospitals of the gas relief department would alsoprovide treatment to those who were not gas-affected. But they will becharged," Gaur told sources. 

It was 22 years ago on the night of Dec 2/3, 1984, that 40tonnes of lethal methyl isocyanate gas spewed out of the Union Carbidepesticide plant, killing over 3,000 people instantly and maiming severalthousand others for life. 

More than 15,000 people have since died from theafter-effects of the poisonous gases and over 200,000 people are constantlysuffering, activists say about the world's worst industrial disaster. 

"A large number of victims are battling deadly diseaseslike cancer and even children born after the tragedy suffer from deeppsychiatric disorders and stunted growth. Women have severe gynaecologicalproblems," said Rachna Dhingra, coordinator of the International Campaignfor Justice in Bhopal (ICJB). 

"The contamination of groundwater in the neighbourhoodof the Union Carbide factory is a serious problem. Various studies haveestablished that the presence of highly toxic heavy metals and organicchemicals in groundwater causes cancer and severe damage to the body,"said Satinath Sarangi, who runs a clinic treating patients in the gas-affectedareas. 

The government has also resolved to lobby hard to get 20municipal wards of Bhopaldeclared gas-affected. At present, only 36 of 56 municipal wards are consideredgas-affected and people living outside these zones at the time of the tragedycan't get any kind of compensation or facilities provided to gas victims. 

"It has been decided to pursue with the centralgovernment so it declares the remaining 20 wards of Bhopal as gas- affected and compensates theirresidents too," Gaur said.