New Delhi, October 01: The government on Wednesday sought to downplay issuing of look-out notices against Chinese employees working at Balco’s power plant in Chhattisgarh, where collapse of a Chimney last week caused death of 45 people.
Home Minister P Chidambaram said it was not very “complex issue” and the notices were issued on the “request of Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh” as the government had launched an investigation on the tragic incident.
“Once the authorities identify who is responsible (for the Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (Balco) accident) they can leave. This was done to ensure that investigators have access to them. We had requested them to stay back. And this was done to ensure that they remain here,” Chidambaram told reporters.
The Centre had issued look-out notices at all the exit points against 89 Chinese engineers and workmen employed at the plant where the accident took place on 23rd September.
The passport details were given to immigration authorities at all the airports and ports with instructions to ensure that none of them leaves the country.
The notices became necessary after these Chinese personnel employees of Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation (SECPO) for the construction of plant fled after the chimney collapse incident.
—Agencies