By SNV Sudhir
A solemn programme was organised. With the polls just a few
months away from, there was a host of elected representatives seen on the dais,
during the programme.
Along with the concerned, Union minister, Panabaka Lakshmi,
MLAs Muttamsety, Chintalapudi Venkataramaiah, Malla Vijay Prasad, ports and
infrastructure minister, Ganta Srinivasa Rao, RS member and Parliamentary
standing committee on environment and forests T. Subbarami Reddy took part.
The HPCL management made elaborate arrangements for the
programme where cheques were distributed to aggrieved families of those workers
who lost their lives in the blast.
“How can we make a simple arrangement when our concerned
Union minister is attending? That’s why we made it a big event,” said an HPCL
official.
At least two reports of the investigation into the blast
that claimed 28 lives, nailed the HPCL management for the mishap, but the Union
minister has given a clean chit to the HPCL authorities.
Talking before distributing the cheques to the families of
the deceased, here on Thursday Lakshmi said, “Reports said that HPCL management
is not at fault for the mishap. But it’s an unfortunate incident.”
The Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) which probed into
the mishap has found at least 13 lapses on the part of the HPCL-Visakha
refinery management.
Investigations by joint chief inspector of factories, D
Chandrasekhar Varma, also revealed that HPCL failed to follow standard safety
procedures. He also issued a show cause notice to the HPCL authorities. Probe
further revealed that HPCL failed to ensure complete evacuation of the workers.
HPCL blast victim’s
families get compensation finally
Families of the workers who died in the Cooling Tower
Twenty eight workers died in the mishap out of which one was
an employee of HPCL and rest were contract workers. Of the 27, 16 are locals
and 11 non locals.
The cheques were given to the families of 15 victims on
Thursday.
Handing over cheques to the kin of victims, Union minister
of state for petroleum and natural gas, Panabaka Lakshmi said that nowhere in
the country that such a big amount has been given to contract workers as
compensation.
Rajya Sabha member T. Subbarami Reddy sought job for a
family member of victims’ families.
Ports and infrastructure minister, Ganta Srinivas Rao
lamented at the poor safety standards in the industries here whereas there are
very less industry mishaps in Hyderabad
which has more industrial units compared to Vizag.
HPCL Visakh refinery, executive director, V.V. Narasimham
said they had now adapted the slogan “no safety no job” for the benefit of
the workers.
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