Ex gratia of Rs 5L handed over to Swapnalok victims' kin

Hyderabad: The state government on Tuesday awarded the kin of six victims of the Swapnalok Complex fire mishap ex gratia of Rs 5 lakh, each.

Handing over cheques to families, animal husbandry minister Talasani Srinivas Yadav assured them of government support.

On March 16, six persons, Triveni, Shiva, Vennela, Pramila, B. Sravani and B. Prashant died due to asphyxiation after being trapped on the fifth floor of B-Block, which was engulfed in fire.

The victims were all employees of Vihaan Selling Pvt Ltd, a sister company of Q-Net, which was later found fraudulent. They were celebrating their job confirmation due to which they ignored warnings and held a party.

On Tuesday, minister Srinivas Yadav said that Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao decided to give ex gratia to families.

The family members, from Khammam, Mahbubabad and Warangal, most of whom come from an agricultural background, thanked the government for their consideration.

The cheques were handed over in the presence of home minister Mahmood Ali and Narsampet MLA Peddi Sudarshan Reddy, at Srinivas Yadav’s office in Masab Tank.

The minister consoled the family members and extended their condolences, conveying regret over the “death of young children who had a bright future”, as Srinivas Yadav put it.

The ministers also arranged lunch for the family members, who had travelled from distant places.

“We are grateful to the Chief Minister, ministers Talasani Srinivas Yadav and Mahamod Ali for keeping their word,” said M. Srinivas, an uncle of one of the victims.

Collector Amay Kumar, additional collector Venkateshwarlu, Secunderabad RDO Vasantha and Tehsildar Shailaja were also present.