2 days ago
Telangana factory blast: Tensions erupt at Patancheru Hospital as blast victims' families confront company executive; seek names of workers at site
HYDERABAD: Emotions ran high at the Govt Area Hospital in Patancheru on Wednesday as grieving relatives gheraoed company's executive vice-chairman Chidambarnathan Shanmuganathan.
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The kin accused him of being absent from the blast site for two days and failing to provide accurate details regarding the contract (daily wage) workers employed. The family members expressed anger over lack of accountability and transparency, and absence of an ex gratia announcement from the company despite it being three days since the incident.
The families demanded the names of all employees, their Aadhaar details, accurate number of people present at the time of the explosion and full details of contractors engaged by the firm.
Denying any negligence on the company's part, he said: "We have been running this plant for the past 35 years with the goodwill of our employees, then how can we ignore them now?"
He claimed there were 143 workers inside the factory during the blast. However, families challenged this figure, arguing that more than 143 people, particularly contract workers, were present.
When asked about the cause of explosion and whether it was sabotage, Shanmuganathan said, "We do not know presently, but somebody has to be responsible.
I am even suspecting some other thing (sabotage). I do not want to say all those things at the moment, but nothing can be ruled out."
Responding to the outbursts of the families, Shanmuganathan expressed sorrow over the tragedy.
"I am here to supervise the transportation. We will take care of all their needs and requirements. The company is in constant touch with them. It is not that we are going to run away as the company has been here for the last 35 years," he said.
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"Everything will be as per requirements of our employees and their families," Shanmuganathan said.
He said the company informed Sangareddy collector P Pravinya about the names of those likely to be present at the site during the chief minister's visit.
He declined to comment when asked about reports that the factory was operating without a no objection certificate (NOC) from fire department, lacked safety equipment and was not equipped with blast-resistant walls or roofs, despite handling high-risk equipments.
"I was not there for the last five years. Five years ago, I was an employee at the plant. Experts have been called and they will tell us what happened. People who supplied the equipment will also come with those who have the expertise," he said.
