The Hindu : `Introduce chemical disaster management plan'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Mar 15, 2004

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

`Introduce chemical disaster management plan'

By Our Staff Reporter

KOCHI, MARCH 14. The Periyar Malineekarana Virudha Samithy has submitted a 10-point charter of demands to the Government, highlighting the need to introduce a chemical disaster management plan in Ernakulam district.

The Samithy representatives met K. V. Thomas, Minister for Fisheries, last week and submitted the charter of demands. They urged the Minister to take immediate steps to save the Periyar.

Purushan Eloor, spokesman of the Samithy, said that the district did not have a chemical disaster management plan despite housing more than 250 industrial units.

The Samithy had given top priority to its demand for the plan in view of the chances for chemical disasters in the district, he said.

It has also demanded restructuring of the Kerala State Pollution Control Board.

In the memorandum submitted to the Government, the Samithy has urged the Government to include environment scientists, doctors, entomologists and toxicologists in the board.

It has also referred to the need to appoint a jurist or a civil service officer as the board chairman.

The Samithy has suggested that the board should be vested with powers to give `spot punishment' to companies found violating environment norms. It has recommended a 24-hour working mechanism for the board as it would help people report incidents of pollution occurring during the night and in the early morning.

The Government has been urged to create an appellate body for processing complaints against the board.

Mr. Purushan said that this facility would be of immense help, as effluent discharge from companies during the night hours could not be detected in the morning following dilution.

The Samithy has demanded the introduction of state-of-the-art equipment and mobile units for environment impact assessment.

Environmentalists have also urged the Government to involve the public in monitoring programmes in the river.

The Samithy has demanded the removal of illegal pipes directed to the river and suggested that the pipes should not be concealed.

According to the charter of demands, the name of the company should be inscribed on top of the pipe as it will help identify the effluents being discharged.

It has also sought review of the Periyar Action Plan based on the inference gathered following an ecological impact assessment.

The Samithy has demanded compensation for those suffering from cancer, heart diseases, asthma and other related problems due to pollution.

Its representatives have asked the Government to conduct an environment impact assessment in Eloor, Kadamakudi, Varapuzha and Kadangallur panchayats.

The Samithy has demanded action against the Merchem Company for allegedly causing pollution.

The Samithy's other demands include moving thorium, mesothorium and uranium stored in the IRE compound to a safer place.

The Samithy has also urged the Central and State Governments to take steps for cleaning the Kuzhikandam creek.

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