Bhubaneswar, June 23: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday announced an increase in ex-gratia assistance to Rs 10 lakh for the families of Odia workers who lost their lives in an ammonia gas leak incident at a seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur district of Tamil Nadu.
The compensation, which was initially fixed at Rs 4 lakh per deceased worker from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund (CMRF), was enhanced following a review of the situation by the state government as the death toll continued to rise.
Expressing profound grief over the tragedy, the Chief Minister conveyed his condolences to the bereaved families and assured them of all possible assistance from the state government during this difficult time.
The incident took place on June 21 at a seafood processing unit in Tiruvallur, where an ammonia gas leak exposed several workers to toxic fumes. A number of workers, including migrant labourers from Odisha, were injured in the accident and admitted to hospitals for treatment.
The death toll among Odia workers rose to six on Tuesday after Jamuni Juang, a resident of Keonjhar district, succumbed to injuries while undergoing treatment. All six deceased workers were reported to be natives of Keonjhar District.
The Odisha government is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with the Tamil Nadu administration to ensure proper medical care for the injured and facilitate support for the affected families.
The tragic incident has once again highlighted the risks faced by migrant workers employed in industrial units outside their home states, prompting calls for stricter workplace safety measures and better protection for labourers.
