Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada MP Capt Brijesh Chowta has said Rs 1.20 crore in compensation has been sanctioned for the family of Haleyangadi resident Maneesh Karkera, who died in an accident at the Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL) refinery.

Chowta also said employment would be provided to one member of the bereaved family as part of the support extended following the tragic incident.

Speaking to reporters in Mangaluru, the MP said local representatives, MRPL employees’ unions and community leaders had stood by the family following the accident and during the final rites.

Mulki-Moodbidri MLA Umanath Kotian, Mangaluru City North MLA Dr Y Bharath Shetty, Grama Panchayat leaders and representatives of the MRPL Employees Union, Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) and Karmachari Sangha were among those who supported the family, he said.

Rs 1.20 crore compensation sanctioned

Chowta said the financial assistance and employment opportunity were intended to provide some support to the family following the loss of its breadwinner.

“Though no amount can compensate for the loss of a family’s breadwinner, we have ensured the maximum possible compensation and employment for a member of the family,” Chowta said.

He expressed gratitude to MRPL management, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri, Petroleum Ministry secretary and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their intervention and support following the incident.

The MP said the coordinated efforts of elected representatives, the company management and employee organisations had helped ensure assistance for the bereaved family.

The announcement comes after the death of Karkera in the refinery accident, which had raised concerns about the safety and welfare of workers associated with the petroleum and petrochemical facility.

Health insurance for contract workers reaches final stage

Chowta also announced progress on a long-pending demand for health insurance coverage for MRPL’s secondary workforce and their dependants.

According to the MP, discussions on extending health insurance coverage to contract workers and their families began in February 2025.

The discussions involved MRPL officials, the MRPL Employees Union, BMS, Karmachari Sangha and elected representatives.

Chowta said the proposal has now reached its final stages and that MRPL officials had assured him that a policy would be formulated and announced within the next month.

“MRPL officials have assured us that a policy will be formulated and announced within the next month,” Chowta said.

The proposed coverage is expected to benefit MRPL’s secondary workforce and their dependants, addressing a long-standing demand from employee organisations.

Proposal requires ONGC Board approval

Chowta explained that the proposed health insurance policy requires approval at the ONGC level because MRPL is associated with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).

He said major policy decisions of this nature require approval from the ONGC Board.

The MP said he had taken up the issue with ONGC chairman Arun Kumar Singh as well as officials of the Petroleum Ministry with the aim of expediting the process.

According to Chowta, discussions have already progressed to the stage where the technical aspects and proposed framework of the policy are being examined.

A meeting has already been held at the Deputy Commissioner’s office, while another meeting is scheduled to be convened next week to discuss the technical details and structure of the proposed insurance policy.

Following these discussions, the proposal will be placed before the ONGC Board for approval, Chowta said.

Unions credited for pursuing insurance demand

Chowta thanked the MRPL Employees Union, BMS and Karmachari Sangha for consistently pursuing the demand for health insurance coverage for contract workers and their dependants.

He said sustained efforts by the unions, elected representatives and officials had helped move the proposal towards the final stage.

The demand has been under discussion since February 2025, with stakeholders seeking insurance protection for workers who form part of MRPL’s secondary workforce as well as their families.

Chowta said the issue had required discussions at multiple levels because of the institutional and policy approvals involved.

The MP assured MRPL’s secondary workforce that efforts would continue to ensure that the proposed health insurance policy is implemented at the earliest.

Focus on worker welfare after refinery accident

The compensation announced for Karkera’s family and the progress on health insurance for contract workers have brought worker welfare and social security into focus at MRPL.

While the compensation cannot undo the loss suffered by the family, the employment assurance is intended to provide a source of livelihood to one family member.

At the same time, the proposed health insurance policy could provide wider financial protection to MRPL’s secondary workforce if it receives the required approvals and is implemented as proposed.

Chowta said the immediate priority was to ensure that the insurance proposal moves through the remaining stages without unnecessary delay.

The next meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s office is expected to focus on the technical aspects and policy framework before the proposal is placed before the ONGC Board.

With the compensation for Karkera’s family sanctioned and the proposed health insurance scheme nearing the approval stage, efforts are now focused on ensuring that the commitments translate into timely support for workers and their families.