Telangana HC slams government over relief to silica victims
The court adjourned the case to next week to get the stand of the governments in paying compensation.
Hyderabad: Since 2013, there has been delay in paying compensation to the family members of victims who died in silica mines at Chawalapalli, Ellakatta in Ranga Reddy district. The Telangana High Court on Wednesday expressed displeasure over Union and state governments and directed the state government and mineral development corporation to pay compensation to the victims without any delay.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan and Justice A. Rajasekhar Reddy, while dealing the matter taken up based on a news report about the delay of compensation to the family members of victims, criticised the apathy of government in this regard.
The court found fault in the attitude of authorities and questioned, “Are you ignorant about helpless women who lost their life partners due to silicosis an occupational hazard in quartz mines? Are we really in a democracy? Do you ignore the fact that they have rights under the Constitution? Do you not respond till the High Court look into the matter?”
Criticising the political leaders for not considering this issue, the court commented that many political leaders and parties concentrate only on votes. The court also expressed anguish over the state government over its submission that records of victims who worked in the mines were not available due to the formation of new districts. The court adjourned the case to next week to get the stand of the governments in paying compensation.