Mine mishap: CM orders probe, announces relief

Naidu, who visited the accident site, called on the bereaved families and announced a relief package to them. This includes Rs 6 lakh ex gratia to each family, employment to an eligible dependent of each family and free residential education to the children of the deceased. The ex gratia consists of Rs 3 lakh from the CM’s Relief Fund and Rs 3 lakh from the Singareni Colleries Company Limited (SCCL). Those who do not qualify for the jobs would be paid an amount of Rs 4,000 every month. All these are in addition to the routine benefits to the deceased workers.

Naidu said he would be writing to the Union Labour Ministry for conducting the probe by a sitting high court judge. The report will be submitted within three months. ‘‘Once we get it, action would be initiated against the guilty officials,’’ he said. Relatives of the deceased, who waited near the mine for nearly five hours, wept inconsolably. ‘‘Whatever the government does, it will not be able to bring back your near and dear ones. You should concentrate on your children’s well-being now,’’ said Naidu.