Month on, kin of Sigachi victims await full relief

Time of India

24-07-2025

Hyderabad: Nearly a month has passed since the deadly explosion at the Sigachi factory in Sangareddy district, which claimed 46 lives. Families of the victims are still awaiting the promised compensation, despite the company insisting that the disbursement process is underway.
While authorities initially assured around Rs one crore in relief, most families claim there has been no update since.
Many of those who died in the blast were young workers and the sole breadwinners for their families. These families are now struggling to survive on the Rs one lakh given to them immediately after the incident — money which mostly went towards funeral expenses and basic necessities.
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"We were told we would receive compensation soon, but almost a month has passed and no one has contacted us.
Two days ago, I received a call where they just asked if my brother had a family. Apart from that, they didn't say anything else," said Kumar Lal Rawat, whose 26-year-old brother Chote Lal Kol died in the blast. The family hails from Rewa district in Madhya Pradesh and has been left to fend for themselves with no financial aid or clarity.
In Odisha's Cuttack district, the family of 21-year-old Lagnajeet Juveri is surviving on rice and vegetables donated by neighbours.
"We are already in debt. I keep calling them, but the company says they cannot help us until the insurance money arrives," said his cousin, Debashish Veura.
The wait has been equally painful for 37-year-old Akhilesh Nishad's family in Uttar Pradesh. His brother, Bajarangi Lal, who now works on a farm to make ends meet, said: "He has three children. I quit my job in a factory in Kukatpally to support the family. We haven't received any compensation beyond the initial Rs one lakh, which has already been spent."
In another case, the family of 32-year-old Laxmi Mukhiya, who leaves behind a wife, two daughters aged 8 and 3, and a five-year-old son, is struggling. "Even my parents are dependent on us. What next? That money is our only hope," said his brother, Laxman Mukhiya.
Meanwhile, Sigachi Industries Limited has stated that compensation is being disbursed in a phased manner. "The full amount will be handed over once the verification process is complete. While we do not have a definitive timeline, the process is currently underway. So far, we have given Rs 10 lakh to each of the families of the deceased and to eight families of those reported missing. Additionally, the company has given Rs one lakh to 25 injured employees," the company said in an official statement.