Bhopal, July 01:(Pervez Bari) The Bharatiya Janata Party ruled Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has announced to constitute a one-member enquiry commission to look after all the issues related to Bhopal gas tragedy focusing mainly on the release of Warren Anderson, the then CEO of the Union Carbide’s killer pesticide plant.
Talking to newsmen here on Wednesday Chouhan said a retired judge of the High Court will be the head of the commission. He, however, did not announce the name of the judge.
The commission will present its report on the gas tragedy, the world’s worst industrial disaster which occurred in December 1984,
within a fixed time limit.
Chouhan while announcing the decision to constitute the enquiry commission said he was disappointed by the attitude of Government of India on the matter of the gas tragedy. He said it is very disgusting that all the last series of events pertaining to the gas tragedy and affected people shows lethargy by the Union Government.
“We expected that Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh during his recent G-8 Summit would discuss this matter with American President Barack Obama but our hopes were belied”, Chouhan moaned.
He said that Dr. Singh should have discussed about the extradition of Warren Anderson and compensation related matters with the President of America.
Chouhan questioned Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh’s statement which said: “efforts will be made for extradition of Warren Anderson”. It is not sufficient as what will be the procedure for extradition of Warren Anderson, he asked.
He informed that he has written a letter to Prime Minister and brought into notice about the incoherence of the recommendation put forward by the government. It is not a fair decision by the government to compensate a few thousands of people. He said that it is very sad that the remaining 20 wards have not been declared gas-affected. He said that the state government will make all necessary efforts to give relief to the rest 20 wards.(pervezbari@eth.net)