The victims of the tragedy, most of whom have languished in misery for about two decades, are basking in the new found glory. The change of heart could be traced to last week’s Supreme Court directive to the authorities to disburse Rs 1567 crore as compensation to the victims or their kin, reports IANS from Bhopal.

The Apex Court asked the state’s welfare commission, which looks after the victims’ rehabilitation, to start disbursing the money deposited by the Union Carbide Corp with New Delhi on a pro rata basis from November 15.

Nearly 3,000 people died instantly when tonnes of deadly methyl isocyanate gas leaked from Union Carbide’s Bhopal plant on the night of Dec 2-3, 1984. Some 15,300 people have since died from the effects of inhaling the gas while nearly 570,000 continue to suffer from various ailments.

“No doubt the amount of Rs 1567 crore is very big and all banks will vie for it. The bank managers will consider themselves competent even if they get 10 percent or Rs 156 crore of the amount as deposits in their banks,” said D K Tiwari, a leading economist here.

“After all, Rs 156 crore is a big amount considering the economy of Bhopal. And why just Bhopal? It is a big amount even for Madhya Pradesh,” said Tiwari.

A senior State Bank of India official said his bank along with State Bank of Indore hoped to canvass deposits from at least 100,000 of the gas victims.

“We will give a number of facilities to them. We will open several counters for them in our branches,” said the official.Not to be left behind, other banks like Punjab National Bank, Dena Bank, Bank of Baroda and Allahabad Bank are also offering various incentives to gas victims who choose to open an account with them.The victims seem thrilled at the attention they are getting.

“Officials of a private bank came to me and requested that I open an account with them. I will get an ATM Card too,” said Nafees Ali, a 45-year-old.Ali still suffers from respiratory disorders and has spent thousands of rupees on his treatment.“As per the orders of the Supreme Court, I would be getting Rs 100,000. I will be able withdraw the money whenever I like,” he said.The victims, who mostly belong to the lower middle class, are overjoyed at the prospect of owning an ATM card, an added attraction.

“I could have never imagined that I would have access to an ATM that would allow me to withdraw money without having to visit the bank,” said a visibly thrilled Vijay Kumar Chauhan, another gas victim. He now has an account with the State Bank of India.Not to be left behind, the postal department is also active trying to make a small profit.

“We are planning to commence a new service for the gas victims,” B P Sarangi, director of posts, told IANS.“The department has a pact with the gas relief directorate. All the documents will reach the gas victims through us. It will cost more if the documents go through the couriers,” he said.