Other States - Puducherry   

MLA demands inspection of industries

PUDUCHERRY: Member of Legislative Assembly of Communist Party of India R. Viswanathan has urged the government to conduct inspections at industries in Puducherry and check on the disposal of chemical waste.

Following the fire accident at Suzlon Energy Limited, a windmill manufacturing industry at Thiruvandarkoil, the MLA said that a retired judge should conduct an enquiry to ascertain the truth.

“A visit of the Estimates Committee to the industry was scheduled for next week after receiving letters from the public, and the industry was also informed of the visit. It was in this situation that the fire had occurred. The industry has discharged chemical solid waste and this had not been cleared for a long time. The fire at the industry had affected cattle and people in the locality, and it was like a mini-Bhopal incident in Puducherry,” he told during a press conference on Monday. The fire had caused irritation in the eyes and respiratory problems, for the public, he said, adding, “All industries should be inspected and information regarding how the units handle chemical waste should be collected. Based on this, protective measures of disposing waste should be taken.” He said steps to regularise contract workers of industries should be taken.

Mr. Viswanathan said that the territorial government should urge the Centre to grant funds to run the Anglo-French Textile mills. A training centre with new apprentices should be started at the mill and those who had completed training should be employed, he added.

“The three mills in Puducherry require funds to the tune of Rs. 500 crore. This can be given as a one-time measure,” he said.

The Pondicherry Textile Mills Labour Union has decided to go on a hunger protest on December 17 to put forward various demands including release and implementation of report on pay hike for Anglo-French Textile mill workers, modernisation and construction of new buildings at the mill, and obtain a one-time grant of Rs. 500 crore from the Central government for modernisation of Anglo-French Textile, Swadeshi and Bharathi mills, said a release.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Axe likely to fall on hazardous units
MLA demands inspection of industries
Aided school teachers want pay panel recommendations implemented
East feast aroma wafts through air
Special cover released to celebrate silver jubilee year of Amalorpavam
Power shutdown
PWD official suspended

Copyright © 2008, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu