Bhopal revisited~ II
The Statesman Siliguri|December 17, 2024
The license for setting up the Union Carbide plant at Bhopal for producing poisonous MIC and a 'no-objection' from the Pollution Control Department were granted despite the plant's location being near a densely populated area. This was against prescribed norms. No action was taken against the erring UCIL for not complying with statutory safety measures. Was it not a hoax? Were the state and Central government officials hypnotized by the gimmicky assurance of UCC that 'our Bhopal plant will be as inoffensive as a chocolate factory'?

Was the law taken in one's hand? The answer is 'yes'. Otherwise, why did the Central government exercise the power of parens patriae (parent of the nation) and prevent the victims from filing suits through lawyers of their choice?

The government also passed the Bhopal Gas Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985, without consulting the victims or caring for their well-being and took away the victim's right to fend for themselves.

Within seven days of the tragedy, tort-lawyers from the USA flocked to Bhopal to strike deals with the victims. American tort lawyers are the most aggressive breed of the legal profession who secure settlements for huge sums.

Taking advantage of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's lack of experience and naivety, he was persuaded to exercise the power of parens patriae. And what did the Central government do next?

It lodged a suit in a New York District Court claiming $3 billion compensation for the victims. Knowing the power of American tort lawyers, who are known to be experts in handling such cases in American courts, UCC, aided and abetted by our Central government, succeeded in transferring the case to an Indian court.

What happened five days after the MIC leak was a drama which naive citizens of India witnessed. Warren Anderson, Chairman of UCC, reached Bhopal on 7 December 1984.

The MP government, headed by Chief Minister Arjun Singh, presumably with a view to scoring political advantage, spread the news that Anderson had been arrested and subsequently granted bail.

Bu hikaye The Statesman Siliguri dergisinin December 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Statesman Siliguri dergisinin December 17, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE STATESMAN SILIGURI DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
The Statesman Siliguri

Way forward will be an ideal marriage between ancient Indian knowledge system & evolving technology

Since its inception, the IEM-UEM group has surpassed innumerable benchmarks of achievements and accreditations.

time-read
5 dak  |
March 10, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri

Preparing for a zombie attack

In the United States in 2011, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued an instructional guide for how to prepare for a \"zombie apocalypse.\"

time-read
2 dak  |
March 10, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri

Jaishankar Inaugurates New Indian Consulate in Manchester

Inaugurating a new Consulate General of India in Manchester, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said the mission symbolises the importance of the growing Diaspora in the region and a sign of things to come, including an India-UK Free Trade Agreement.

time-read
2 dak  |
March 10, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri

First Piped PNG Connection Now Online in SAIL's Riverside Township

The days of having to carry heavy gas cylinders on shoulders in every household appear to be over.

time-read
2 dak  |
March 10, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri

Curse of Capitalism

Where once senior doctors on grand rounds held up patient charts for groups of students to scrutinize and learn from; we now have hospital administrative staff holding up excel sheets with graphs depicting departmental earnings and 'educating' doctors, nudging them to not ignore fiscal responsibilities to the hospital

time-read
6 dak  |
March 10, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri

Aerospace sector to witness unprecedented growth: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today asserted that the aerospace sector is going to witness an unprecedented growth in the times to come and it will be pivotal in realising Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Government's vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047.

time-read
1 min  |
March 10, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri

TN BJP Slams Minister for 'Unwanted Criticism' of Annamalai

Tamil Nadu BJP spokesperson and senior leader ANS Prasad slammed DMK leader and state minister Sekar Babu for his \"unwarranted criticism\" of state BJP president Annamalai.

time-read
2 dak  |
March 10, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri

Trade With Pakistan Can Help Achieve 2047 Goal

Much of the effect of the economic reforms established by Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh has been stunted by creeping over-regulation. Modi must ensure that he gets the best people in positions that concern the economy. If he can leave power by attaining double-digit growth, his legacy in Indian history would be cemented.

time-read
3 dak  |
March 10, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri

Khadi Products Achieve Record 12 Cr Sales at Mahakumbh-2025

The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), under the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), organized a national-level exhibition during the Mahakumbh from 14 January to 27 February, 2025.

time-read
1 min  |
March 10, 2025
The Statesman Siliguri

India, EU to Hold Next Round of Trade Talks on 10 March

The EU wants India to lower tariffs on cars, wine, and whisky as well as some agricultural products

time-read
1 min  |
March 10, 2025