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Centre, M.P. accused of criminal neglect

By Our Staff Correspondent

BHOPAL, DEC. 22. The Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog Sangathan (BGPMUS), a prominent NGO working for the cause of the victims of the 1984 Union Carbide gas disaster, today accused the Union Government and the Madhya Pradesh Government of criminal neglect and said that the demand for implementation of long-term rehabilitation schemes for gas victims should be taken up for discussion when the Group of Ministers meets in Delhi tomorrow.

Addressing a press conference here, the convener of BGPMUS, Abdul Jabbar, said it was a matter of great regret that nothing had been done so far to clean up the toxic waste lying inside the Union Carbide premises. "The underground water is getting contaminated by this waste and citizens living near the now abandoned plant were being forced to drink highly polluted water," he said adding that the results on the medical relief front were also dismal despite official claims that over Rs. 400 crores had been spent for providing medical relief to the gas victims.

Mr. Jabbar told newspersons that against a demand for Rs. 8.50 crores, only Rs. 3 crores was provided by the Centre for piped drinking water in the worst affected localities. Even this money was channelised in some other direction by the State Minister for Gas relief, he pointed out. Mr. Jabbar also demanded criminal proceedings against Dow Chemicals, Union Carbide and the concerned officials of the State Government who have tried to cover up the issue of toxic waste.

He also revealed that there was a shortage of over 300 medical specialists, technicians and para-medical staff in hospitals run by the State Gas Relief Department.

Mr. Jabbar said that special job avenues would have to be created for more than 100,000 gas victims keeping in view their reduced capacity to work. He demanded that immediate steps be taken for the economic rehabilitation of the victims. At the same time, he said, there should be an arrangement for providing life-time pension for widows and those permanently disabled.

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