The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, has expressed deep shock over the Sivakasi fireworks tragedy in which many lives were lost in Tamil Nadu this morning. Dr Manmohan Singh said that he stands with the people of Tamil Nadu in this hour of grief and has conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved families.

The Prime Minister has announced an ex gratia payment of 2 lakh rupees to the next of kin of each of the deceased and 50,000 rupees to those seriously injured in the fire.