Bhopal: The survivors of the world's worst industrial tragedy that struck the Madhya Pradesh capital in December 1984 said they don't hold out much hope from the new Rs15 billion (Dh1.2 billion) relief package.

They said they doubted the package would be distributed honestly among the families of the victims.

The Group of Ministers, headed by Home Minister P. Chidambaram, focused on the Bhopal gas tragedy, on Monday recommended that the government should press for former Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson's extradition from the US. They also earmarked more than $300 million in relief for the thousands of people killed and maimed by the tragedy.

Ruksana, 62, is from J.P. Nagar which is close to an abandoned pesticide plant of Union Carbide India Limited that leaked lethal methyl isocyanate gas.

The industrial disaster wiped out her six-member family as part of the estimated 20,000 people over the years.

Ruksana said: "Since the date the tragedy hit us, we every day hear that we will get a massive compensation amount, but it hardly reaches the real victims".

"I doubt whether the new relief package will be distributed among the families of the victims honestly.

"The money comes only for leaders and VIPs. The real sufferers are still suffering and the government seems to be doing its best to add to our agony.

"I don't have much hope from the new package. If the killers of thousands of people can be allowed to walk free then how can I expect the amount to be distributed honestly?"

Ruksana was largely expressing her anger over a Bhopal court verdict June 7 that sentenced seven Indian executives of UCIL to two years in jail. They were then granted bail within an hour of the verdict, which sparked outrage across the country, and in Madhya Pradesh in particular.

Rehan, aged 38, of the J.P. Nagar area has serious breathing problems and has barely been able to walk since the industrial accident struck his 11-member family.

Rehan said: "I have no hope at all from government, neither from the central nor from the state government. Everyone is playing politics, and those who are playing with our sufferings and sentiments will be punished by God."

In its final report submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, the Group of Ministers has recommended giving Rs1 milion to the next of kin of the dead, Rs500,000 for the permanently disabled and Rs.300,000 for those disabled partially.

Prominent activist Abdul Jabbar said: "I fear that there may again be injustice in distribution of the relief amount as I heard that government will provide Rs1 million compensation to only those who died on the night of December 2 to 3 and the families of those who died after months ... will not be benefited."