Probe ordered into blast
Visakhapatnam: Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy has ordered a probe into the blast in which two employees died at Hetero Drugs Ltd manufacturing unit in Nakkapalli, near Visakhapatnam on Saturday. Four others were injured in the mishap.
The Chief Minister along with Union rural development minister Jairam Ramesh, arrived here on Sunday and consoled the injured at Care Hospital.
Mr Reddy interacted with Tatarao and Venkatarao who received injuries and asked doctors to provide better medical care to them. He suggested district collector V. Seshadri to shift them to any other hospital if required. He assured that the government would provide necessary assistance for medical services. He also asked the collector to conduct an inquiry into the incident and submit a report.
Interacting with media persons, Mr Reddy said that it was unfortunate that accidents have been occurring even though industrial units were following up-to-date safety measures. He said officials concerned have been directed to find out any lapses in industrial security measures and initiate stringent action agai-nst them. He assured that they would take appropriate steps to support the victims after going through the report. Later, he proceeded to East Godavari district.
Meanwhile, minister for ports and infrastructure Ganta Srinivasa Rao has ordered the joint collector to conduct a magisterial probe into the incident.
“We will take action against those responsible for the blast after the report is submitted. The government would pay `20 lakh as compensation to the families of the deceased and give employment to the next of kin of the victims,” the minister said on Sunday. He also ordered closure of the block in Unit 9 of Hetero Drugs where the blast occurred, until the inquiry is over.
Voicing concerns over the frequent industrial mishaps, the minister said that a special committee would be appointed to inspect factories in Vizag district every three months to check safety standards. If any negligence is reported, the government won’t hesitate to order closure of the unit, he said.“There should be checks on industries to check mishaps. Vizag is growing fast and we can’t take such risks, sending wrong signals to investors and the people,” the minister told the media.
Meanwhile, Left parties activists submitted a memorandum to the CM seeking action against the management of the drug unit.
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