Year on, Sigachi relief stalled, lives in strain

HYDERABAD: One year after the devastating explosion at Sigachi Industries’ Pashamylaram unit that killed 54 workers and injured 20, families of victims say they are still awaiting full compensation promised by the govt and the company, leaving them in financial distress after losing their sole earners.Families surviving on fixed deposits from part of compensation say daily expenses remain uncertain, with no stable income to sustain long-term needs.On Monday, civil society groups and victims’ families held a rally in Pashamylaram industrial area demanding immediate release of pending compensation. They alleged that most families have received only about Rs 42 lakh so far against the announced Rs 1 crore package.

They said a portion includes statutory benefits and should not be counted as compensation.Families demanded attachment of company assets to secure remaining payments. Most deceased workers were migrants from Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh.Laxman Mukhiya, brother of deceased Lakshmi Mukhiya (31), who was an operator from Bihar, said the family received Rs 42 lakh, including Rs 11 lakh in statutory benefits.

“I stayed in Hyderabad for three months after the incident, paying ₹6,000 rent just to follow up on compensation.Later I had to return home,” he said. The family has kept some money in fixed deposits for children’s education, but struggles with daily expenses. “There is no steady income. My father is bedridden after the shock. We are surviving only on savings,” he added.Rahul Kumar Sharma, 30, a quality control worker from Uttar Pradesh, was the sole earner in his family.His brother Umesh Chandra Sharma said, “We depended on him. I work in farms whenever work is available, earning ₹500 a day, sometimes nothing. Travelling to Hyderabad itself is costly. Stress has made it difficult to sleep.”The govt and Sigachi had announced Rs 1 crore compensation per deceased, Rs 10 lakh for seriously injured and ₹5 lakh for minor injuries. CEO Amit Raj Sinha was arrested six months after the blast and later released on bail.Seven-months pregnant Joshna Reddy from AP, who lost her sister Sri Ramya, 23, and brother-in-law Nikhil Reddy, said her life has changed. “I earn Rs 27,000 a month, pay Rs 13,000 rent, and now support my parents. My mother wakes up crying at night after nightmares,” she said.Families now demand accountability. Atimela Manik of Telangana People’s Joint Action Committee said, “Only the CEO was arrested. Others responsible remain untouched. Industrial accidents are increasing while accountability is missing. EPFO and ESIC benefits must also be released without delay.” Civil society groups have called for a roundtable in Hyderabad on Tuesday. Attempts to contact Sigachi Industries for response were unsuccessful.