2Definitions

In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,--

(a) "Bhopal gas leak disaster" or "disaster" means the occurrence on the 2nd and 3rd days of December, 1984, which involved the release of highly noxious and abnormally dangerous gas from a plant in Bhopal (being a plant of the Union Carbide India Limited, a subsidiary of the Union Carbide Corporation, U.S.A.) and which resulted in loss of life and damage to property on an extensive scale;

(b) "claim" means--

(i) a claim, arising out of, or connected with, the disaster, for compensation or damages for any loss of life or personal injury which has been, or is likely to be, suffered;

(ii) a claim, arising out of, or connected with, the disaster, for any damage to property which has been, or is likely to be, sustained;

(iii) a claim for expenses incurred or required to be incurred for containing the disaster or mitigating or otherwise coping with the effects of the disaster;

(iv) any other claim (including any claim by way of loss of business or employment) arising out of, or connected with, the disaster;

(c) "claimant" means a person entitled to make a claim;

(d) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner appointed under section 6;

(e) "person" includes the Government;

(f) "Scheme" means a Scheme framed under section 9.

Explanation.--For the purposes of clauses (b) and (c), where the death of a person has taken place as a result of the disaster, the claim for compensation or damages for the death of such person shall be for the benefit of the spouse, children (including a child in the womb) and other heirs of the deceased and they shall be deemed to be the claimants in respect thereof.