Deputy Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, Pawan Kalyan, announced on Tuesday that the families of the deceased workers in the Vizag Steel Plant accident will receive a compensation of Rs 1.72 crore each. The compensation package includes all statutory and terminal benefits due to the employees.
Details of the Compensation
The announcement came after a meeting with senior officials and representatives of the steel plant management. The Deputy CM stated that the amount covers ex-gratia payments, insurance claims, provident fund, gratuity, and other benefits as per company norms and government regulations.
Background of the Incident
The tragic accident occurred at the Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, a unit of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited, on June 7, 2026. An explosion in the coke oven area led to the deaths of several workers and injuries to others. The exact cause of the blast is under investigation by a high-level committee appointed by the state government.
Pawan Kalyan expressed condolences to the families and assured that the government would ensure strict action against those responsible for the lapse. He also visited the injured workers in the hospital and promised all necessary medical support.
Reactions and Next Steps
Trade unions have welcomed the compensation but demanded a thorough probe into safety violations. The opposition parties have criticized the government for delays in relief. The state government has announced an additional Rs 10 lakh for each injured worker.
The steel plant management has been directed to submit a detailed safety audit report within a month. The Deputy CM emphasized that such incidents would not be tolerated and that safety protocols must be strictly followed in all industrial units.
