Annamalai Seeks Higher Compensation for Tiruvallur Ammonia Leak Victims
Former Bharatiya Janata Party leader K. Annamalai on Thursday urged the Tamil Nadu government to provide appropriate compensation to the families of those who died in the ammonia gas leak in Tiruvallur district, citing the Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979. He questioned the adequacy of the ₹2 lakh compensation announced by the state government, comparing it to the ₹10 lakh given by the Odisha government in a similar incident.
Speaking to the media, Annamalai highlighted that the Odisha government also facilitated the return of migrant workers who were discharged after treatment. He asked why the Tamil Nadu administration had not arranged for the safe passage of discharged workers waiting to return home. He further alleged that the welfare board for migrant workers was non-functional and should be utilised to address their concerns.
The ammonia leak incident, which occurred at a cold storage facility in Tiruvallur, resulted in the death of several workers and left many hospitalised. The state government has announced compensation of ₹2 lakh for the next of kin of the deceased, along with free treatment for the affected.
Annamalai's remarks come amid ongoing scrutiny of safety standards and migrant worker welfare in industrial zones across the state. The issue has also sparked political debate, with opposition parties calling for stricter enforcement of labour laws.
