HESCO seeks Centre’s nod for PMT blast victims' compensation
A fire fighter puts out the blaze at HESCO office in Latifabad area of Hyderabad which was set on fire by an angry crowd pro-testing against the PMT blast which claimed six lives and left many others injured. PHOTO: APP
The Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) has sought permission from the federal government to provide a high amount of compensation to the nine citizens who died after sustaining critical burns injuries in the July 22 incident of the explosion of a transformer in Hyderabad.
In a letter addressed to the federal secretary power division, HESCO Chief Executive Officer Rehan Hamid conveyed that the company’s board of directors had approved Rs750,000 for the deceased, Rs500,000 for seriously injured persons, and Rs300,000 for those with minor wounds.
Read: Haleem blames HESCO for PMT blast
However, in view of the ‘violent’ reaction and anger over the incident in the public and in the larger interest of the public and HESCO, the company wanted to provide a higher amount of compensation.
The affected families have been demanding over Rs4 million per deceased person.
One worker of HESCO who was injured in the explosion also died a few days later.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 3rd, 2021.