NT NETWORK
Panaji
In view of frequent accidents resulting in deaths and injuries in chemical factories, the National Green Tribunal (NGT)has directed chief secretaries of all the states/UTs to evolve a mechanism to ensure that the companies dealing with hazardous substances must forthwith pay compensation for deaths and injuries to the victims at least as per Workmen Compensation Act, 1923, either directly or through the district magistrate.
A principal bench headed by Adarsh Kumar Goel stated that states need to ensure safety audits of all establishments having potential for such accidents.
It said the pollution control board and District Magistrates (DMs) must assess the cost of restoration of the environment which should be recovered from the company and spent on restoration.
The Goa State Pollution Control Board has reported to have identified 918 industries of red categories, and 1,561 units generating hazardous waste.
The NGT was hearing proceedings in a matter that arose out of an incident dated June 3, 2020, in Dahej in District Bharuch of Gujarat wherein a fire took place in a storage tank of chemical factory run by the company Yashyashvi Rasayan Pvt Ltd due to mixing up of two incompatible chemicals that is nitric acid and DMS resulting into 11 deaths, 22 with grievous injuries, 28 with simple injuries and 43 with minor injuries.
“The States and UTs in accordance with 1989 and 1996 Rules need to step up vigilance, surveillance and monitoring to avert such accidents. Preparedness to meet such eventualities be ensured. Regular mock drills may be ensured in respect of onsite and offsite emergency plans,” the NGT said.
The tribunal had earlier passed an interim order to the company to pay compensation of Rs 25 crore to the victims, pending report of a fact-finding expert committee, headed by Justice B C Patel, former chief justice of Delhi High Court.
The committee recommended for setting up of hospital, specialised in treating chemical burns and injuries in an industrial zone or SEZ, and particularly, near the industries engaged in hazardous chemicals.
Accepting the series of recommendation made by the committee in its report, the NGT said that all states/UTs may also ensure availability of healthcare facilities in the vicinity of such establishments.
