As many as 25 major chemical accidents have taken place in India in a span of five years between 2002-06.
For the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), created under the Disaster Management Act 2005, the figures are an eye-opener as plans are afoot for the enactment of a “standalone” law to deal with man-made disasters and compensation in case of disasters.
The NDMA is assisting the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to come out with a first of its kind National Action Plan for Chemical Industrial Disaster Management.
This will review existing legislations, safety, security mechanisms and formulate ways to ensure implementation for effective on-site and off-site emergency management planning for industry and governments.
Following Bhopal, the country saw ten enactments on chemical industries, But says Lt Gen JR Bhardwaj, NDMA member and chairman of the Committee recently set-up by the MoEF to formulate the Action Plan, “despite the government’s efforts, India is still weak in enforcing provisions laid out in the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and Disaster Management Act 2005, and at present, there is no system of a collective responsibility.”
n There are nearly 1700 Major Accident Hazard Units (MAH) in the country apart from the large number of small and medium enterprises . The NDMA is in the process of ensuring that all the MAH units develop “onsite emergency plans”.
n The Action Plan to be submitted in a month by the MoEF brings in the corporate sector to ensure accountability.