Telangana Announces ₹1 Lakh Relief for Families of Deceased Workers
In the aftermath of the Sigachi Industries pharmaceutical plant explosion in Telangana’s Sangareddy district, the state government has declared immediate financial assistance of ₹1 lakh to the families of each deceased worker. This step, described as an urgent interim measure, is aimed at providing short-term relief to families grappling with the sudden loss of their loved ones.
Chief Minister Revanth Reddy directed local authorities to expedite the disbursement process. District officials have been instructed to visit each affected household and ensure that the compensation reaches them without procedural delays. The initial ₹1 lakh is part of a larger aid package totalling ₹10 lakh per family, which will be extended in subsequent phases.
Support for Injured and Ongoing Medical Aid
Alongside the compensation to families of the deceased, the state has also approved ₹1 lakh for each injured worker. Several workers continue to receive critical care for severe burns, inhalation injuries, and trauma. Health Minister Damodar Raja Narasimha assured that the government will cover all hospitalisation costs and also provide psychological support where necessary.
Special teams have been formed to coordinate with hospitals across Hyderabad to monitor the condition of the injured and keep families updated. The Chief Minister’s Office is personally overseeing the progress of the relief and rehabilitation measures.
Broader Relief Measures and Accountability
The government has also ordered DNA testing to identify severely burned victims and has promised to provide legal and administrative assistance to the families for paperwork and compensation claims. A five-member high-level inquiry committee is investigating the cause of the blast, and the Sigachi plant has been sealed for 90 days.
The compensation announcement, though a welcome step, has not quelled public outcry over repeated industrial accidents in the state. There are growing demands for stricter regulation of hazardous industries, enhanced safety training for workers, and routine inspections to avoid such tragedies in the future.
The Telangana government has promised to implement the inquiry committee’s recommendations in full and ensure that those responsible for safety lapses are held accountable.
