YSR Congress Party president and former Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy on Wednesday lashed out at Telugu Desam Party working president and state IT minister Nara Lokesh for claiming that the state government would give Rs 1.72 crore to each of the families of the victims of Monday’s Visakhapatnam Steel Plant accident.
“Nara Lokesh is saying that they're giving Rs. 1.72 crores to the victims of the steel plant accident. What kind of person this man is? Do people like this even exist? Shouldn't there be at least some humanity? Isn't the money you're giving just what the affected families are rightfully entitled to?” Jagan asked.
“On top of that, your government isn't contributing even a single rupee. That Rs 1.72 crore is the money that rightfully belongs to them. Nuvvu ichchedenti bodi? (What is there for you to give?)” He questioned.
Jagan said the minister's statements created a misleading impression that the government was extending substantial financial assistance to the victims' families, while the amount would be paid anyway to the victim’s families, irrespective of the government.
Breaking down the compensation package, Jagan said approximately ₹1.45 crore would come from group insurance, gratuity, provident fund and risk insurance benefits.
He added that the steel plant management had announced ex gratia payment of Rs 25 lakh, while another Rs 2 lakh would be provided from the Prime Minister's Relief Fund.
"These are benefits and entitlements due to the employees and their families. The State government is not contributing any additional compensation from its own resources," Jagan alleged.
Drawing a comparison with the 2020 LG Polymers gas leak tragedy in Visakhapatnam, Jagan said his government had provided Rs 1 crore compensation to each deceased victim's family.
However, TDP minister Kondapalli Srinivas refuted Jagan’s claim on LG Polymers’ incident.
“While 12 people had lost their lives, only three of the bereaved families got Rs 1 crore each. Even this amount was paid by the company, not the then YSRCP government. Now, Jagan is shamelessly claiming his government had paid the amount,” Srinivas said.
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5C8BrzTDNA[/embed]
