Harish Rao slams Telangana govt over unpaid Rs 1 Cr compensation to Sigachi blast victims

Hyderabad: BRS senior leader and former minister T Harish Rao has lashed out at the Telangana government for failing to provide compensation and clarity over the deaths of workers in the Sigachi Industries explosion that occurred on June 30 in Sangareddy district.

Harish Rao on Monday led a protest rally along with the families of the victims to the Sangareddy District Collector’s office, demanding justice and transparency.

The former minister alleged that even a month after the tragic explosion at the factory located in Pashamylaram industrial area, there is still no official confirmation on the total number of casualties.

“The bodies of eight workers are yet to be handed over to their families,” he said, calling the government's handling of the tragedy "pathetic and irresponsible." He noted that families have been forced to accept charred body parts and immerse them in rivers, intensifying their emotional trauma.

Harish Rao recalled that Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had announced an ex gratia of Rs 1 crore each to the families of the deceased and Rs 10 lakh each to the critically injured. “Not even a single family has received the promised compensation,” he said, alleging gross negligence and delay in disbursal.

He also highlighted that many families have had to spend Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 on travel from states like Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, just to collect death certificates and pursue compensation.

The BRS leader demanded that the government pay at least Rs 50 lakh to each of the critically injured workers and also ensure the release of monthly salaries to the affected families. He added that the injured, who were promised Rs 10 lakh, have received only Rs 50,000 so far.

Accusing the government of attempting to protect Sigachi Industries, Rao cited a complaint from a victim’s family member. “Yashwant, son of deceased worker Jagannmohan, revealed that employees had repeatedly warned the management about old machinery posing a threat. Their concerns were ignored,” he said.

He reiterated that negligence by the company led to the explosion and demanded accountability.

Harish Rao informed that an NGO has approached the High Court, seeking directions for the government to honour the Chief Minister’s compensation announcement.

“The state must stop evading responsibility. The people demand action, not apathy,” he concluded, warning of intensified protests if justice is delayed further.