Wrap-up: The heat is on

Over 150 heat-related deaths have been reported in Telangana in two months, but not even 30 families have received compensation.

Officials continue to insist on a police FIR and post-mortem report to award compensation despite a government circular against it.

Under the Apathbandhu scheme, the families of heat victims are eligible for Rs 1 lakh compensation. The scheme is applicable for all heat-related deaths in summer and not just when a heat wave is declared.

There are also contradictions in the number of deaths, with the disaster management wing putting the toll at 125 and the revenue department at 26.

The government has constituted a three-member committee in each mandal to identify heat wave deaths. The committees comprises the local mandal revenue officer, sub-inspector of police and a medical officer.