Harish Rao accuses government of failing Sigachi blast victims’ families

Marking one year since the Sigachi Industries explosion, BRS leader T Harish Rao alleged that the Telangana government failed to fulfil its promise of Rs 1 crore compensation to victims' families and demanded immediate action to ensure justice and financial support.

Hyderabad: Marking one year since the Sigachi Industries explosion, BRSLP deputy leader T Harish Rao on Tuesday accused Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy of failing to honour his promise of Rs 1 crore compensation to each bereaved family. Calling the tragedy a result of regulatory failure and negligence on the part of the company management, he demanded justice for the families.

Describing June 30, 2025, as a dark day in Telangana’s industrial history, Harish Rao paid tribute to the 54 migrant workers who lost their lives in the explosion. He said although the Chief Minister had publicly announced Rs 1 crore compensation for each victim’s family after visiting the accident site, the government had released only Rs 1 lakh.

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“Statutory benefits such as Provident Fund (PF), Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and life insurance payments were projected as part of the compensation package, despite them being the workers’ legal entitlements,” he said.

The BRSLP deputy leader criticised the government, saying that medical expenses incurred by workers who later succumbed to injuries were also adjusted against the compensation amount. He pointed out that several injured workers continued to face hardship due to inadequate medical support and delayed wages, while the promised jobs for affected families were yet to materialise.

Holding the Labour Department responsible for the failure in enforcing regulations, he said the families of eight workers whose bodies could not be identified were being forced to make repeated visits to government offices to obtain death certificates.

Citing the findings of the inquiry, Harish Rao alleged that the factory had violated multiple safety norms, including operating machinery far beyond its approved capacity and functioning without essential fire safety clearances and dust control systems. He questioned the government’s handling of the case, alleging that action against the company’s management was initiated only after intervention by the High Court.

Demanding immediate action, he urged the government to attach the company’s assets under the Revenue Recovery Act and ensure payment of Rs 1 crore compensation to every bereaved family, independent of PF, ESI and other statutory benefits. He accused the government of repeatedly failing to fulfil its public commitments and urged it to honour the assurance made to the victims’ families.