Hyderabad: BRS leader T Harish Rao has called for monthly payments to families affected by the Sigachi fire incident in Pashamylaram. Despite a month passing, the Rs 1 crore compensation announced by Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has not been distributed.
Harish Rao, accompanied by victims’ families, visited the Sangareddy Collectorate. He confronted the Additional Collector about the delay in handing over bodies and compensations. Leading a protest, he emphasized that families continue to mourn without any financial support. Although the Chief Minister promised Rs 1 crore for each deceased, no family has received the money, and many did not even receive bodies for final rites, only ashes, which were immersed in the Godavari River. With 54 lives lost, this disaster is unprecedented in united Andhra Pradesh or Telangana. Rao criticized the government’s response as “inhumane and irresponsible.”
He denounced officials’ alleged insensitivity, quoting them saying, “At least you got ashes.” Families from Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh have spent Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 just to travel to Hyderabad. Rao questioned when the promised compensation would be delivered, noting that many victims still need medical care. Despite a Rs 10 lakh promise for those severely injured, only Rs 50,000 was reportedly given. Rao demanded Rs 50 lakh for the critically injured and a monthly income for their support.
Scientists for People, an NGO, filed a petition in the High Court for compensation. Rao questioned why the government hasn’t released official figures of the deceased or injured. He asked why the names of victims and details of compensation remain undisclosed.
Rao also questioned the lack of information about the disaster’s cause, pointing out that the committee set up by the Chief Minister seems inactive. After a month and 54 deaths, no action has been taken against the company. He criticized the Chief Minister’s inaction and urged him to address the issue promptly.
