The National Green Tribunal has instructed the Harda district administration to provide comprehensive reports on the compensation paid to victims and funds recovered from those involved in the 2024 Harda firecracker factory blast. The Tribunal, based in Bhopal, is actively addressing issues related to relief for severely injured victims. It has requested specific information on the amounts retrieved from the Project Proponent, along with a breakdown of compensation distributed to victims, including beneficiary names and individual payouts.
The focus of the ongoing case is on compensating individuals who sustained severe injuries in the explosion, marking one of Madhya Pradesh’s deadliest industrial disasters in recent memory. Legal representatives for the victims have expressed concerns to the Tribunal about the administration’s efforts in identifying and reaching all 64 seriously injured individuals impacted by the tragic event. They highlighted that documentation for only 26 injured persons has been gathered and submitted for medical verification and compensation evaluation.
The victims’ lawyers also raised objections regarding the operations of the medical board established by the Harda administration. They alleged that the board selectively examined applications from victims, rejecting numerous medical records without proper reasoning. Advocates presented instances where crucial medical documents were disregarded without justification, emphasizing the need for transparency in the compensation assessment process. The victims have urged the Tribunal to ensure all medical examination-related documents are recorded and shared with affected individuals.
The Additional District Magistrate of Harda informed the Tribunal during the hearing that a portion of the compensation funds held by the administration has been disbursed to victims, although some payments are pending due to difficulties in locating certain beneficiaries. The official also disclosed the formation of a Medical Board by the Collector to assess the injuries sustained by individuals. Notably, medical reports presented to the Tribunal revealed that four victims have been identified with varying degrees of permanent disabilities.
The next hearing in this matter has been scheduled for July 14, 2026, by the Tribunal. The tragic Harda firecracker factory blast, which took place on February 6, 2024, in Bairagarh village of Harda district, resulted in the loss of 13 lives, injuries to over 170 individuals, and significant damage to nearby properties and structures.
