Andhra govt announces Rs 50 lakh ex gratia to kin of Sri City blast victims

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Two days after five workers died in a boiler explosion at a pharmaceutical manufacturing unit in Tirupati’s Sri City Special Economic Zone (SEZ), the Andhra Pradesh government announced an ex-gratia of Rs 50 lakh each to the families of the victims.

“The company TIL Health care and the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) led state government will provide assistance to the next of kin under the Workmen’s Compensation Policy,” Tirupati District Collector S Venkateswar said. The collector met with the kin of the victims along with Tirupati Superintendent of Police (SP) L Subbarayudu and Sri City Managing Director Ravindra Sannareddy.

“The government will also lend assistance to rehabilitate families and secure employment opportunities for eligible family members,” the collector stated.

At least five workers were killed and more than 10 others injured after a boiler exploded at the TIL Healthcare Private Limited, a pharmaceutical company located in Sri City SEZ on October 3.

The blast had occurred around 8 am at TIL Healthcare, an export-oriented pharmaceutical facility in Satyavedu mandal. Four workers died at the spot, while another succumbed to severe injuries. The cause of the explosion has not yet been ascertained.

The deceased were identified as Gourab Roy (35) of West Bengal, Chinna Mastan (48) of Cheviri village in Andhra Pradesh, Ramesh (52) of Madharapakkam in Tamil Nadu, Mohan (28), the boiler operator from Naidukuppam in Tamil Nadu, and Vasu (32) of Tada in Andhra Pradesh.