Hyderabad: Labour, Employment, Mines and Geology Minister Dr Gaddam Vivek Venkatswamy on Tuesday defended the government’s Sigachi accident response and rejected allegations made by former minister T. Harish Rao. He described the criticism as politically motivated and aimed at misleading the public.
Speaking at the Press Club in Godavarikhani, Peddapalli district, Vivek Venkatswamy described the deaths of 54 workers in the Sigachi industrial accident at Pashamylaram in Sangareddy district as a tragic incident. He said the Congress government had responded immediately after the accident.
According to the minister, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy personally visited the hospital and met the injured workers. He added that the Chief Minister instructed officials to provide the best possible medical treatment and support to the victims.
Sigachi accident response included legal action
Vivek Venkatswamy said the government repeatedly summoned the Sigachi management and pressed the company to pay compensation. As a result, he claimed, the families of the deceased workers had received compensation of nearly ₹50 lakh each.
The minister also said the government initiated legal action against those responsible for the accident. He stated that authorities registered cases under relevant laws and arrested the company’s Chairman and Managing Director. Further, he said the Inspector of Factories inspected the unit and initiated action against the management.
Sigachi accident response to continue, says minister
Vivek Venkatswamy said the Telangana government had informed the High Court that it was committed to ensuring complete justice for the victims. He asserted that the government would continue to pressure the company until every affected family received the promised compensation.
The minister reiterated that the government had taken all measures required under the law. He added that the Congress government would continue supporting the affected workers and their families until justice was delivered.