`72cr for denied Bhopal victims
The group of ministers on the Bhopal gas tragedy, which met here Monday, reviewed the progress made by various ministries on its recommendations to the Union Cabinet three months ago. The ministerial panel has decided to change the site for disposal of toxic waste from Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh following protests from
local residents. No decision has been taken so far on where the toxic waste can be disposed within the state, a government official said. The defunct Union Carbide factory has 347 metric tonnes of toxic waste needing disposal.
“Today’s meeting reviewed the legal and remedial measures being taken,” a government official said.
MP urban development minister Babulal Gaur said the GoM also decided to sanction additional compensation of `72 crores for the next of kin of those who died in the tragedy but were left out of the earlier list. Government sources said funds have already been released to the Madhya Pradesh government and other agencies. Mr Gaur, meanwhile, confirmed that the toxic waste from Union Carbide will not be disposed of at Pithampur. “The government of Madhya Pradesh and the Centre will hold discussions to decide the alternative site,” he told reporters at a briefing on the meeting of the GoM, which is headed by Union home minister P. Chidambaram.
In June, the Union Cabinet had accepted all 22 recommendations of the GoM and decided to push for the extradition of former Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson and ascertain the liability of Dow Chemicals besides announcing a `1265.56-crore relief package. In August, the CBI had filed a curative petition before the Supreme Court seeking restoration of the stringent charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder, which attracts a maximum punishment of 10 years in jail, against the accused in the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy case.
Apart from Mr Chidambaram, the other GoM members are law minister Veerappa Moily, health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, urban development minister S. Jaipal Reddy, road transport minister Kamal Nath, poverty alleviation minister Kumari Selja, chemicals and fertilisers minister M.K. Alagiri, environment minister Jairam Ramesh and minister in the PMO Prithviraj Chavan. Mr Gaur is also a member.
Post new comment