Beijing, Dec 27 (Xinhua) Victims of contaminated milk in China would get compensation from the dairy firms involved in the scandal, China’s Dairy Industry Association announced here Saturday.”The enterprises offered to shoulder the compensation liability. By doing so, they hope to earn understanding and forgiveness of the families of the sickened children,” the association said.

The contaminated milk scandal came to the surface in September after babies who were fed with milk powder, produced by the Hebei province-based company Sanlu Group, developed kidney stones.

In all, 22 dairy firms sold products tainted with the industrial chemical melamine, which is used in the manufacture of plastics.

Victims will get a one-time cash payment, the association said, without giving the specific amount of the compensation.

“The money for compensation is in place now and will soon be handed to the people who have custody of the sickened children through various channels,” the association said.

The Chinese health ministry said that the melamine contaminated milk killed six babies. Another 294,000 infants suffered from kidney stones and urinary problems.

The scandal led to the resignation of China’s chief quality supervisor Li Changjiang. Several officials were sacked, many were arrested and the government ordered an overhaul of the country’s dairy industry.