Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Panabaka Lakshmi distributed on Thursday compensation cheques to the next of kin of some of the contract workers who died in the HPCL refinery fire here last year.

She distributed cheques for a total amount of Rs 3.2 crore towards compensation to the next of kin of contract workers who died in the accident.

As a first instalment, HPCL gave 16 cheques for Rs 20 lakh each to the families of contract workers killed in August 23 cooling tower blast. The incident claimed 28 lives – one senior executive of the refinery and 27 contract workers. Cheques to the families of 21 contract workers killed in the blast will be handed over later as all of them were from outside the State.

‘Highest compensation’ The minister said the inquiry had revealed that the management was not at fault for the accident. She said due to pressure from local elected representatives, the compensation amount had to be enhanced to Rs 20 lakh – the highest so far for a contract worker killed in an industrial accident.

Later, when reporters asked her about the report of Hirak Dutta, Executive Director of Oil Industry Safety Directorate, who probed the circumstances leading to the blast, she said, “The file is now with Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas M. Veerappa Moily and appropriate action will be taken.”

The meeting, which should have been conducted in a solemn manner, was marred by unnecessary fanfare. When a memento was offered to Lakshmi, who was the chief guest, she rejected it saying it was not the occasion to accept such souvenirs.

sarma.rs@thehindu.co.in

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