Guwahati: Oil India Limited (OIL) has increased its ex-gratia assistance for the families of six workers who died in the November 6 fire at its Intermediate Tank Farm in Tengakhat, Dibrugarh district, from Rs 10 lakh to Rs 25 lakh each.
Separately, the contractor firm that employed the deceased workers has announced compensation of Rs 10 lakh for each bereaved family and Rs 5 lakh for the family of each injured worker.
OIL announced the enhanced assistance on Wednesday following demands from several organisations for higher compensation and employment for one member of each bereaved family.
The fire broke out at around 9.05 am on November 6 in the indirect bath heater area of OIL’s Intermediate Tank Farm at Tengakhat, which had been isolated for maintenance since November 4. Six workers subsequently died, with the toll reaching six on November 10 following the death of 58-year-old Golap Dutta at a private hospital in Dibrugarh.
OIL said it arranged specialist medical assistance from Delhi for the injured workers. One worker was airlifted to the national capital on November 9 and admitted to Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, where he continues to receive treatment.
In a statement, the company said it was contacting the families of the deceased contractual workers to facilitate the disbursement of the announced ex-gratia amount. It added that all applicable statutory dues and benefits would also be settled.
“We are reaching out to the families of each deceased contractual employee to facilitate the disbursement of the ex-gratia amount announced so far, followed by the settlement of all applicable statutory dues and benefits,” OIL said.
Expressing condolences over the deaths, the company said it had made every effort to ensure that the injured workers received the best available medical treatment following the incident.
OIL added that it had extended all possible assistance to the injured workers and their families. However, despite sustained medical efforts, the injured workers eventually succumbed to their injuries.