KHAMMAMDeputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has directed officials to ensure compensation to farmers who had lost their chilli produce in Saturday’s fire accident at a private cold storage unit in Atkuru village of Madhira mandal.Mr. Vikramarka, on Sunday, visited Sai Balaji cold storage, where the fire mishap occurred. He interacted with the farmers, whose chilli stocks were gutted at the cold storage due to suspected electrical short-circuit.Khammam Collector Anudeep Durishetty and Police Commissioner Sunil Dutt accompanied the Deputy CM.The farmers sought compensation for the huge losses suffered by them. Mr. Vikramarka asked the officials to initiate immediate steps to ensure the farmers get adequate compensation, based on records as per insurance claim procedures.The officials apprised the Deputy CM of the measures initiated by Fire service personnel to control the fire at the cold storage.Earlier, Mr. Vikramarka reviewed the progress of ongoing works of the Integrated Residential School building at Laxmipuram village in Bonakal mandal. He asked the officials to speed up the construction work in adherence to quality standards.Published - March 22, 2026 08:00 pm IST