Nagpur: In a major relief announcement following the deadly explosive blast in Raoolgaon village of Katol taluka, Guardian Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule declared that the family of each deceased victim will receive a total compensation of ₹82 lakh. The decision was taken during a high-level review meeting chaired by the minister in Nagpur on Monday.
The compensation package includes ₹75 lakh from SBL Explosives Manufacturer, ₹5 lakh from the Maharashtra Government, and ₹2 lakh from the Central Government. The entire amount will be deposited in fixed accounts in the names of the legal heirs of the deceased. The interest accrued will be accessible to the head of the family, while dependent children will be entitled to withdraw the principal amount upon attaining legal adulthood.
Additionally, the company has agreed to provide ₹25 lakh as compensation to each injured worker.
High-Level Meeting Reviews Accountability
The review meeting was attended by Minister of State for Finance and Planning Ashish Jaiswal, MP Shyamkumar Barve, MLAs Charansingh Thakur and Sameer Meghe, Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari, former minister Anil Deshmukh, District Collector Dr Vipin Itankar, Superintendent of Police Harsh Poddar, senior officials from the Labour Department, Industrial Safety Department, and representatives of the explosives workers’ union and company management.
Bawankule stated that the repeated fatalities in explosive factories are deeply concerning and assured that the government will not remain passive. Strict action will be taken against those found responsible. He directed that senior officials of the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the Industrial Safety Department, and the Labour Department be named as co-accused if lapses in oversight are established.
Special Committee Under Divisional Commissioner
To prevent such incidents in the future, a special committee has been constituted under the chairpersonship of Divisional Commissioner Vijayalakshmi Bidari. The panel will include the District Collector and Superintendent of Police and will coordinate with central authorities to recommend reforms.
The committee will examine gaps in existing laws, inconsistencies between central and state regulatory offices, and whether safety standards, worker training, and mandatory protective equipment were adequately implemented. It will also assess whether the Ease of Doing Business policy is being misused at the cost of worker safety.
Based on its findings, the committee will submit recommendations to the state government, which will coordinate with the Centre for necessary amendments and stricter enforcement.
Call for Stronger Enforcement of Safety Norms
Raising concerns over regulatory lapses, Minister of State Ashish Jaiswal questioned how many more laws would be required if existing systems are not effectively implemented. He emphasized that while ease of doing business is essential for industrial growth, it must not compromise worker safety.
Factory Sealed; Wages to Continue
The company has been sealed pending investigation into the blast. Bawankule directed the management to ensure that workers continue to receive at least minimum wages until industrial safety standards are fully restored and all procedural clearances are completed.
He further mandated that all workers undergo a minimum three-month industrial safety training programme. Only after rectification of deficiencies identified in the government inspection will the District Collector personally verify compliance before any consideration of reopening the unit.
Authorities are also examining whether the scope of the Disaster Management Act needs expansion to strengthen immediate response mechanisms in industrial accidents. A detailed report will be submitted by the district administration in this regard.
The Katol explosion has once again triggered a debate on industrial safety compliance and regulatory accountability in Maharashtra’s explosive manufacturing sector.
