The Hindu : National : ‘Move’ to let Dow Chemicals off the hook condemned

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Sunday, Jul 01, 2007
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‘Move’ to let Dow Chemicals off the hook condemned

Special Correspondent

Files allegedly reveal plans to free it of liabilities

Health of more than 20,000 people impaired
CITU expresses serious concern

NEW DELHI: Organisations supporting survivors of the December 1984 Bhopal disaster have condemned the Central Government’s move to let Dow Chemicals off the hook in the Bhopal gas tragedy.

They have accused the Centre of ‘selling out’ to Dow Chemicals, current owner of Union Carbide.

Files obtained by these organisations from the Prime Minister’s Office through the Right to Information Act allegedly reveal that the Government is involved in plans that would allow Dow Chemicals to walk away from its liabilities in Bhopal, which include the cleaning up of the contaminated soil and ground water in and around the abandoned factory in Bhopal.

The company is also liable for the health damage caused to more than 20,000 people — including congenital malformations, caused by drinking water laced with toxic chemicals and heavy metals for more than 15 years.

Course of action

A note by the Cabinet Secretary dated April 6, 2007 is categorical about what the Government’s course of action should be: “Given the scope for future investments in the sector, it stands to reason that instead of continuing to agitate these issues in court for a protracted period, due consideration be given to the prospect of settling these issues appropriately. An important aim is to remove uncertainties and pave the way for promoting investments in the sector.”

The note recommends reconstituting the Group of Ministers on Bhopal with appropriate changes to address the issue of exonerating Dow.

“The PMO files contain evidence that top-level politicians and bureaucrats are conniving with Indian and U.S. corporations to shut the book on the world’s worst industrial disaster and its long-suffering victims without addressing the pending issues,” said Rashida Bee, leader of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh.

The Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) has expressed serious concern on the alleged move for an out-of-court settlement with Dow Chemicals.

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