Executive Summary

On December 3, 1984, toxic poisonous methyl isocyanate gas leaked from Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL's) pesticide plant in Bhopal. The gas leak triggered a disaster that is now widely recognized as the world worst industrial catastrophe. Thousands of people were killed instantly and more than 25,000 people have died of gas-related illnesses, several thousands more maimed for life since.

Union Carbide negotiated a settlement with the Indian Government in 1989 for $470 million - a total of only $370 to $533 per victim - a sum too small to pay for most medical bills.

In 1996, twelve years after the disaster, Union Carbide became part of the Dow Chemical Corporation, which flatly refused to assume any liabilities in India - or clean up the toxic poisons left behind saying that it was the responsibility of the Madhya Pradesh state government which had taken over the site.

Today twenty five years since that fateful night, lakhs of people still living in the vicinity of the factory are exposed to toxic chemicals that continue to leach from tonnes of waste lying within the UCIL premises causing groundwater and soil contamination. As a result a whole new generation continues to get sick, from cancer and birth defects to everyday impacts of aches and pains, rashes, fevers, eruptions of boils, headaches, nausea, lack of appetite, dizziness, and constant exhaustion.

During the last four years survivors’ organizations have renewed their campaign to both get justice for the survivors as well as cleaning up of the hazardous waste.

This compilation of selected news stories covering the last four years is a small effort to highlight this campaign as reported by the mainstream media. For an in-depth understanding of the issues see www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/indepth/term/2542.

A comprehensive collection of these up-to-date news clippings, research papers, lab studies, reports, documents, opinions and court judgments etc have now been made available by the Centre for Science and Environment at www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/taxonomy/term/2544.

Links to selected CSE research papers and lab report. http://www.downtoearth.org.in/webexclusives/factsheet_1.htm http://www.indiaenvironmentportal.org.in/node/292685 http://www.downtoearth.org.in/default20091130.htm http://www.downtoearth.org.in/webexclusives/site_photos/Site_photos.htm BHOPAL GAS DISASTER [ JANUARY - DECEMBER, 2006]

Gas victims' bodies Girl born after gas the claims court on March 18 and July 19, 1999, to receive celebrate judgement tragedy gets compensation as per the Compensation twice claimed letters. Bhartiya Jan Organisations of Gas victims Staff Reporter / Bhopal Morcha district president had celebrated favourable Pradeep Khandelwal raised the decisions from the Judge John Compensation to gas victims issue and said that hundreds of F Keenan of the District Court was disbursed off to help them such cases were approved by of New York for the first time in recover from the tragedy. greasing the palms of the history of the case However, few denizens had not employees posted in the office regarding the Union Carbide only fraudulently got the names of Gas Welfare Commissioner. disaster in Bhopal. of their kin included in the Assistant Registrar of Gas On January 10, Judge compensation list, they also Welfare DS Solanki told The Keenan had issued a letter managed to obtain the Pioneer that the claim was rogatory for obtaining the compensation more than once accepted only after going documents from Eveready for the same individual. through attached documents Industries India Limited that Amazingly, the compensation that include age proof. could potentially establish the was allegedly sanctioned by Speaking on the particular nexus between this Indian the same deputy commissioner case, the assistant Company and Union Carbide, twice without noticing the commissioner said the USA and DOW Chemical USA. irregularity. genuineness of the claim could Sharma their Attorney A woman Naznee Siddiqui be cross checked after General who had been fighting allegedly got the name of her verification of attached for the survivors in the US daughter Faiza Siddiqui document. Mr Solanki assured Courts since 1999 when the included in the beneficiaries' list that they would again go legal action was initiated. despite the girl being born three through the documents and In his decision Judge has years after the gas tragedy. take action against the guilty on agreed to seek judicial The alleged fraud did not end discovering the fraud. assistance from the Indian here, as the woman claimed Pioneer / Delhi 23/01/06 Government, to compel EIIL to the compensation twice in the produce documents related to name of her daughter. Bhopal gas victims its corporate structure and Interestingly, the woman in affiliations and liabilities an affidavit claimed that her walk all the way to concerning environmental daughter was present at the Delhi contamination caused by the time of gas leakage but the Bhopal Factory. mark sheet of the girl stated her As many as 39 survivors of the The Judge has requested date of birth as September 30, Bhopal gas leak tragedy today that plaintiff's attorney Sharma 1987. reached Delhi for a do-or-die be notified regarding Both the claims were battle after a 800-km trek from examination of documents sanctioned in 1999 by the Bhopal that took them 33 days. before the appropriate courts in same deputy commissioner, Stressing that justice still India. RK Bhave, wherein the girl was eludes victims of the Union Two appeals on this behalf made eligible for compensation Carbide chemical leak tragedy, of people affected by soil and of Rs 25,000 each. The claim the ‘padyatris’, several of them ground water contamination numbers of the girl were above 60 years of age, say from Bhopal, are currently 138071 and 139067. Apart they will start a fast unto death pending before the Second from the girl, the mother and here next month till their six- circuit Court of Appeals, which her son also obtained point charter of demands is met was decided in favour of the compensation of Rs 70,000 by the government. Bhopal victims on two earlier and Rs 25,000 in the year 1994 The demands include occasions. If successfully the and 1999, respectively. setting up of a national legal action in the US Federal The claims clearly contained commission on Bhopal to Court will force Union Carbide the name of the girl, her oversee medical and social to pay further compensation far parents' name, residence and rehabilitation of the victims for greater than the settlement age. Despite this, they were the next 30 years, supply of amount of 470 million dollars it sanctioned twice in four safe drinking water to paid in 1989. months. The girl was also communities currently drinking Central Chronicle / Bhopal/ directed to remain present in poisoned water, speedy 13/01/06 prosecution of the accused,

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster including Union Carbide Monday, the protesters had countries in the region, assist Corporation and its former organised a march from them in the event of a disaster chairman; environmental Nizamuddin Park to Jantar and also provide training to remediation, a ban on Dow Mantar. their staff and volunteers. Chemical and its subsidiary Threaten indefinite fast The Cabinet also cleared a Union Carbide’s business in They threatened to go on an proposal to withdraw the India and memorialising the indefinite fast if their demands Arbitration disaster story by including it in were not met. Representatives and Conciliation (Amendment) school and college curriculum. from Delhi University and Bill to bring in a more “It is sad that every government Jawaharlal Nehru University, comprehensive legislation. since the tragedy in 1984 has activists of Narmada Bachao The Bill was introduced in prioritised the interests of Andolan, trade union members Parliament in 2003. Union private companies instead of and members of various non- Defence Minister and Cabinet the people who have suffered. Government organisations had spokesperson Pranab The killers are yet to be brought also joined them. The Mukherjee said the Bill was to justice,” said Rashida Bi, protestors have been being withdrawn as a who heads the Bhopal Gas demanding setting up of a Parliament Standing Peedit Mahila Stationary national commission on Bhopal Committee had recommended Karamchari Sangh. Rashida Bi to oversee medical and social a long list of changes in it. The has lost six members of her rehabilitation. Government thought that own family due to medical As many as 39 survivors of instead of introducing the complications since that the gas tragedy had reached change in the Bill, it would be December night in 1984. the Capital on Saturday after a better to withdraw it and bring Toxic wastes are still month -long, 800-km walk from in a new legislation that polluting the water in the area Bhopal. incorporated the threatening the lives of Hindu/ New Delhi/ 29/03/06 recommendations. The Cabinet communities living there. The also gave its nod for signing an plant site was yet to be Cabinet nod on agreement with Kuwait for decontaminated. avoidance of double taxation Tribune/ New Delhi/ 26/03/06 compensation to and prevention of fiscal evasion Bhopal victims in respect of taxes on income Bhopal protesters Special Correspondent and cleared a proposal for India to join the memorandum of detained in Delhi NEW DELHI: The Union understanding on the Staff Reporter Cabinet on Wednesday conservation and management approved the implementation of of marine turtles and their NEW DELHI: Over 100 the 2004 Supreme Court order habitats in the Indian Ocean protesters, comprising mostly for disbursement of pro-rata and South East Asia. women, demanding the additional compensation on Hindu / Delhi 06/04/06 rehabilitation of survivors of the one-on-one basis to victims of 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy were the Bhopal gas tragedy. Bhopal victims step detained by the police for It also decided that the staging a dharna outside Government will take up agitation Shastri Bhavan here on responsibility for meeting the Tuesda y. shortfall of about Rs. 50 crore, NEW DELHI: Over 400 The protesters refused to as estimated by the Office of survivors of the Bhopal gas leave without a positive Welfare Commissioner. disaster and their sympathisers response from the Union The Cabinet also gave its who on Monday organised a Minister for Chemicals and nod for the proposal of the huge "die in" here, covering Fertilizers, Ram Vilas Paswan. International Federation of Red themselves in white shrouds Around 4 p.m., the police Cross and Red Crescent and lying on the road while detained them and took them to Societies to open its South Asia symbolic figures of death the Parliament Street police Regional Office here to improve danced through the "corpses". station. the efficacy of the Federation in The gas victims and their They were kept there till late the implementation, monitoring sympathisers, who have been eveing. "We are contemplating and evaluation of its activities in demonstrating here for the last legal action against them as we the region. fifteen days, announced that six want to discourage the practice The regional office would, persons (three survivors and of such big protests in the high- among other things, coordinate three sympathisers) would go security zones," said a police and advise on development on an indefinite hunger strike officer. projects and programmes of from Tuesday. Two of the protestors were the national Red Cross and Demonstrators said that injured when they were forcibly Red Crescent societies of the though the Ministry of removed by the police. On Chemicals had been 2

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster sympathetic to their demands, year 1998-2004 and demanded compensation amount should it was up to the Prime Minister that an amount of Rs 37.65 be referred to the Constitution to clear any decision related to crore which was pen ding in the Bench. the Bhopal victims. They said custody of a court in Bhopal be It may be recalled that in the Union Cabinet's approval released to the trust. December 1984, 2000 persons for the implementation of the This amount had been lying were killed and over 20,000 Supreme Court orders of 2004 attached in the Magistrate court were injured when the for disbursement of pro-rata in Bhopal to secure the poisonous gas MIC leaked from additional compensation on a presence of Union Carbide the UCC unit in Bhopal. one-to-one basis to the victims Corporation (UCC) Chairman in Pioneer /New Delhi 13/04/06 did not address their present a criminal case, who has since demands. "This money was been declared an absconder. Parents of Bhopal long due and a result of an The Hospital, which is meant to agreement between the exclusively treat the Bhopal gas victims protest in Reserve Bank of India (RBI) victims, has already received a capital and the Central Government sum of Rs 518 crore till date. that any shortfall in converting The sum of Rs 37.65 crore had Parents of children suffering the money payable from dollars been obtained after the sell-off of from physical disability as a to rupees would be taken care shares belonging to UCC. result of carbide contamination, by the Central Government. It The trust, presently headed by after the Bhopal gas tragedy, has nothing to with our present former Chief Justice of India came together in the capital on demands," said Nityanand Justice AM Ahmadi had Saturday demanding Jayaram, environmental activist claimed the immediate rel ease immediate steps from the and writer. In a statement of this amount in the wake of government to guarantee better issued on Monday, four increased cost of maintenance health for Bhopal’s children. organisations, Bhopal Gas of the hospital However the More than 70 children with Peedit Mahila Stationery petitioners alleged birth deformities have been Karmachari Sangh, Bhopal Gas misappropriation of funds on identified from among the Peedit Mahila Purush massive scale. It further communities who have been Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal pointed out to court that the exposed to carbide poisoning in Group for Information and accounts for the period 1996- drinking water, revealed Action, and Bhopal ki Awaaz 98 have not been kept. protesters who have entered cited a 2001 study published by The Bench of Justices BN the fifth day of hunger strike. the Madhya Pradesh Srikrishna and LS Panta while Expressing disappointment government's Centre for posting the matter for May 2 over the meeting with Prime Rehabilitation Studies that has observed, "in order to remove Minister Manmohan Singh attributed at least 350 deaths misgivings about the accounts, being called off on Friday, annually to gas-related the advocate -on-record for the Ms Champa Devi Shukla ailments. pe titioner and a chartered one the protesters on indefinite Hindu / Delhi 11/04/06 accountant to be appointed by hungerstrike said, “We are the petitioner shall be permitted extremely disappointed. Three to wrong is found in the Trust gas victims are on the fifth day Gas victims allege accounts, then an order for bungling of funds of the hungerstrike, and the release of Rs 37.65 crore shall Prime Minis ter has found no Pioneer News Service / New be passed on the next date of time to meet us, despite getting Delhi hearing. The court also decided two months notice.” All three to hear on May 2, an sons of 50-yearold Shahida The plea by Bhopal Gas application filed by the Bee are suffering from physical tragedy victims alleging petitioner seeking to set aside disorders. misappropriation of funds the compensation amount of My first son fell ill when he allotted to Bhopal Memorial US $ 440 million arrived at was eight years old. My second Hospital Trust meant for their between UCC and the Central son was born dead and with a treatment, got a shot in the arm Government on grounds that it half-formed skull. All the kids in with the Supreme Court was totally inadequate, keeping our family are physically permitting in view the loss of life and retarded,” said 'Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila property. Shahida, a resident of Blue dyog Sangathan' to inspect the The agreement was chalked Moon colony in Bhopal. audited account from 1998 to out under the supervision of a Explaining that they are 2004. Constitution Bench headed by forced to use the contaminated The issue came before the then Chief Justice of India RS tubewell water because of court after the Trust, Pathak. The court will also scarcity of water, the children in represented through senior decide on the question whether the area are developing skin advocate RK Jain presented this application challenging the diseases. the audited accounts from the 3

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster “After the accident I used to with a note of solidarity for the Sarangi added that, “ It have fever. My babies inherited Narmada struggle. doesn’t make any sense to the same disease and they all Happy scenes could be direct our protests on the died in their infancy,” said 40- witnessed at the protest venue matter of corporate year-old Shanti Naidu, resident with victims and supporters accountability towards a man of Shankar Nagar in Bhopal. hugging and congratulating who has expressed his The fate of 60-year- old Tusi each other after this “major powerlessness on this matter.” Bai is the same. While his son victory”. “ The Dow should beware has been diagnosed with Activist Nityanand now because all our energies tuberculosis, all the women in Jayaraman, however, will be focused on putting the the family are suffering from expressed disappointment over brakes on its business in India,” severe physical disorders. the Prime Minister turning down Goldman award winner The contamination is having their two demands. “Dr Champa Devi Shukla declared. adverse effects on the health of Manmohan Singh told the There, however, has been no the children, stressed delegation that he was official word on the meeting. protesters of the International powerless to take any extra While the Madhya Pradesh Campaign for Justice in legal measures to hold the Government recently Bhopal. Union Carbide Corporation or announced the allotment of Rs Families, who have been its parent company Dow 100 crore for the construction victims of the gas tragedy and Chemical accountable in of a memorial in Bhopal, carbide contamination come to response to a demand by protestors have been told that Delhi to meet the Prime survivors that the UCC and the story of the Bhopal disaster Minister and present the six- Dow should be held liable for would be included in point demands. the continuing disaster in educational curricula developed Asian Age/ New Delhi Bhopal.” “The Prime Minister by the NCERT. 16/04/06 said we have to do There also have been business...we have to move assurances regarding providing Govt agrees to major ahead. India has to survive clean water to some colonies. despite these tragedies. Please Three activists will accompany demands of Bhopal leave politics to politicians. He high-level team led by the victims said the UCC was a foreign- Secretary, Ministry of based multinational and Chemicals, to finalise details Vibha Sharma assured that he would explore regarding provision of safe Stating to have registered a whatever options existed within water and the participation of “major victory” after the the law to hold the company survivors in the construction of “government conceded to four accountable,” Jayaraman a memorial in Bhopal. of their six long-standing added. Josh Imeson and Diane demands”, Bhopal gas tragedy The activists expressed “ Wilson, both of who have been survivors today called off their shame and outraged at the fasting in solidarity with the “international hunger strike” Prime Minister of the world’s survivors, also called off their and the agitation that has been largest democracy having fa st. Diane Wilson, a long -time continuing at the protest venue openly admitted to his inability Bhopal supporter, who is on the near Jantar Mantar, here, for to pressurise an American fourth day of her indefinite fast the past 20 days now. multinational,” and resolved to in the USA, was in the process The protestors, who met the take direct and legal action of being informed about this Prime Minister for about 30 against Dow and the UCC’s “major victory”, said minutes this morning, later businesses, nationally and Jayaraman. said, internationally over the coming The Bhopal campaign, “Dr Manmohan Singh months. “ We will hold dharnas which became somewhat assured a 10-member in front of their offices overshadowed by the ongoing delegation, comprising Bhopal everywhere in the world,’’ well- NBA struggle in the Capital, gas tragedy victims and known Bhopal activist Rashida has been receiving good supporters, that their demands Bi told The Tribune. national and international related to clean water, clean-up And in the words of activist support. of toxic wastes, setting up of a Satinath Sarangi, “At a time The PMO received nearly 3000 national commission for when India is set to more than faxes and more than 350 medical and economic double its industrial capacity, persons have signed up to fast rehabilitation will be met.” the Prime Minister’s reluctance for a day or longer in solidarity Following this, the agitators, to take extra legal measures to with the Bhopal campaign. Film who had walked into the pressure multinational star Amir Khan also stopped by Capital on March 25 after an corporations is deplorable and at the dharna site last week to 800-km “padyatra” from should set the alarm bells express solidarity with Bhopal, ended their dharna ringing”. protestors.

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Twenty one years and many respectful of human rights and, medical advisor to Union struggles later, 39 survivors of more importantly, also a good Carbide and that fails to include the worst industrial disaster of business decision for Dow to the majority of survivors' the world, the Bhopal gas leak undertake new initiatives to organisations in Bhopal. tragedy walked into the Capital address the needs of survivors. These four organisations after a 800-km trek from Bhopal The resolution requests the have written to the Prime that took them 33 days for a company to produce a Minister requesting his do-or-die battle on March 25. document listing the new personal intervention to ensure Tribune/ New Delhi/ 18/04/06 initiatives by the management a more balanced committee pertaining to the environmental, that includes their Dow shareholders health and social concerns of representatives. the survivors of the gas leak at The four organisations, who want instant relief for the Union Carbide plant. led the 800 kilometer long Bhopal victims The shareholders who filed the march to New Delhi in February resolution representing a total this year had called specifically Rahul Noronha | Bhopal of 4.5 million shares (current for the setting up of such a Resolution at Thursday's AGM value: $186 million) include the crucial committee as their first to force issue ---- Survivors of New York City Fire Department priority. the dea dly 1984 gas disaster in (NYCFD) Pension Fund, New The Prime Minister Bhopal may have just found York State Common conceded to the demand on new allies, and that too in the Retirement Fund (NYSCRF), April 17 after meeting with most unlikely quarters, in their Boston Common Asset representatives of these 21-year-long struggle for justice Management, Amnesty organisations. In line with the and adequate compensation. International USA (AIUSA), demands of the four More than 15,000 people have Dominican Sisters: Grand organisations, the coordination died since the night of Rapids, Sisters of Holy Cross committee is expected to plan December 2-3, 1984, when and Sisters of Mercy Regional and implement schemes for tonnes of methyl isocyanate Community of Detroit medical, economic and social leaked from the Union Carbide Charitable Trust. rehabilitation of the people plant in Bhopal. Many more The move seems to have poisoned by Union Carbide in and their offspring have been gone down well with those Bhopal. It is a travesty, they maimed for their lives. advocating the cause of gas stated on Saturday, that none Dow Chemical purchased survivors in Bhopal. Satinath of their representatives have Union Carbide in 2001 for 10.3 Shadangi of the Bhopal Group yet been incorporated into the billion in stock and debt. Dow for Information and Action, coordination committee. has publicly stated several speaking to The Pioneer, The organisations have also times that the Union Carbide termed the resolution "a taken strong exception to the settlement payments have significant move as far as inclusion of Dr NP Mishra, already fulfilled Dow's financial shareholder activism is former medical advisor to responsibility for the disaster. concerned." Union Carbide in Bhopal in the However, efforts by survivors to He said "though committee. get Dow to clean the heavily shareholders of Dow have According to them Dr contaminated site are on been supporting us for the last Mishra is responsible for appeal in a US district court. three years, the resolution to be thousands of preventable Shareholders of Dow Chemical moved on Thursday is bound to deaths because of his have now decided to challenge have a positive fallout." opposition to the administration CEO Andrew Liveris and the Pioneer / Delhi 11/05/06 of sodium thiosulphate to the company's top management at survivors in the aftermath of the its annual meeting of Gas hit welcome disaster. stockholders on Thursday. Many lives could have been They want Dow to take new Centre's decision saved, they asserted on initiatives pertaining to the Saturday, if gas affected people welfare of the survivors of the Bhopal, May 13 Leaders of four had received this injection in world's worst industrial disaster. organisations working with time. Administration of Sodium Shareholders feel that more survivors of the Union Carbide Thiosulphate helpful as it was than 21 years after the disaster, disaster in Bhopal on Saturday in detoxifying the body, also the ongoing dispute threaten hailed the formation of the co- demonstrated that contrary to Dow's reputation and business ordination committee by the Union Carbide's position that in India. A shareholder Government of India. However, only lungs and eyes were resolution on the agenda for they strongly condemned the damaged by the toxic gases this year's annual meeting composition of the committee the poisons had actually asserts that it would be that is dominated by entered the blood stream and government officials, that includes NP Mishra, a former 5

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster caused damage to almost between September and (UCIL). The court had recorded every organ in the body. November 1984. the statements of former UCIL At least on of the nine Choudhary rejected Bhopal plant pr oduction members of the committee, Ms allegations levelled against him manager KV Shetty the other Madhumita Dutta from New and pleaded the court to day. Recording of statements Delhi has already tendered her absolve him of the charges. of former UCIL chairman resignation to protest against Earlier, the then UCIL non- Keshub Mahindra, former UCIL the imbalance of the executive chairman Keshub works manager J Mukund, committee, the inclusion of Dr Mahindra and the then UCIL former managing director Vijay Mishra and exclusion of the vice-chairman Kishore Kamdar Gokhale, former UCIL Vice leaders of the four recorded their statements president Kishore Kamdar organisations. It was informed yesterday. former production manager SP by Satinath Sarangi, Rachna The statement of the then Choudhary and former shift Dhingra, Bhopal Group for shift supervisor Shakeel supervisor Shakil Ibrahim Information and Action at a Qureshi was being recorded Qureshi had been completed press conference here on today. Voluntary organisations earlier. Saturday. On the occasion Bhopal Gas Peedit Sangharsh During the hearing, the large number of members of Sahyog Samiti and Bhopal Gas prosecution agency, CBI, the four organizations were Peedit Mahila Udyog Sagathan, sought permission to ask more also present. who are the interven ors questions from the accused as Central Chronicle / Bhopal appeared together in February. investigation into the case was 14/05/06 They included Mahindra, continuing. Choudhary Qureshi, the then Accepting the request, the No security lapse in UCIL works manager J court directed to make Mukund, the then UCIL available the prescribed Carbide plant: production manager KV Shetty, questionnaire to the accused. By Our Staff Reporter Bhopal, managing director Vijay Meanwhile, Bhopal Gas Peedit Gokhale, vice-president Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti and A former senior official of the Kishore Kamdar and another Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Union Carbide's pesticide plant accused A K Srivastava. After Udyog Sangathan today today denied that lax security the lunch recess, the CJM fixed submitted an application before measures had resulted in 1984 the next dates of hearing as the court saying the Bhopal gas disaster, which July 11 and 12. After investigation in the case had claimed few thousand lives and Choudhary, Qureshi's not been completed and the affected several lakh people. statement was recorded. chargesheet framed against the Deposing before Chief Judicial Statements were recorded accused in 1987 needs to be Magistrate Ravindra Kumar in a under section 313 of the CrPC. argued. criminal case related to the The state government was Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ tragedy, the then Union represented by CBI Counsel C 13/07/06 Carbide India Limited Sahay and Advocate Ajay production manager SP Gupta was the defence Declare entire Bhopal Choudhary, in his, written counsel. statement, said there was no Central Chronicle / Bhopal/ as gas-hit' laxity in security arrangement in 10/06/06) the factory. The Madhya Pradesh

The CBI and other government today passed a investigating agencies had, not Court records non-official resolution urging succeeded in establishing a statements of UCIL the Centre to declare all 56 strong reason behind the officials wards of this city as affected by tragedy. However, allegations the 1984 Gas Tragedy - the were levelled, that the factory's The Bhopal Chief Judicial world's worst industrial disaster design, was faulty. The Magistrate (CJM) on - and thereby eligible for pesticide plant was spread over Wednesday completed compensation. Replying to a an area of seven eight-acre recording statements of all the discussion on the resolution land and functioned round the main accused in connection tabled by Umashankar Gupta clock. with a criminal case related to (Bharatiya Janata Party), Gas He said it was wrong to say the 1984 Union Carbide gas Tragedy Relief and that inadequate safety disaster. Rehabilitation Minister Babulal measures at the plant facing CJM Ravindra Singh Gaur said, all wards were closure due to economic recorded affected by the tragedy on the reasons led to the incident. In The statement of AK intervening night of December fact, a simple maintenance Srivastava, a representative of 2-3,.1984. campaign was launched the Union Carbide India Limited "At that juncture, the Centre did not consult the state 6

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster government while reaching an 18,000 people registered with it Addressing a press understanding with Union for long-term treatment through conference here on Thursday, Carbide. Therefore those in the Allopathic, Ayurveda and yoga representatives of the Bhopal remaining 20 wards are being systems. Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery denied .compensation." This year, from January to Karmachari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Referring to the AR Antulay November, 6,608 gas victims, Peedit Mahila Purush Committee's recommendations, including 4,524 females and Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal Gaur said that the Committee 2,084 males, visited the clinic. Group for Information and also suggested review of the Mr. Sarangi said that Action, and Bhopal ki Aawaaz Centre's decision. facilities for eye-care, large- condemned the State "At a Group of Ministers scale production of herbal Government saying that it had meeting in Delhi, the Centre medicines and microbiological shown "criminal neglect" later recommended inclusion of tests had been added to the towards medical care of the all the wards for compensation. clinic. victims. However, compensation has Efforts had been taken to Upon raiding two medical been provided to all those who encourage affected stores of the Gas Relief submitted medical certificates," communities to develop their Department, they found a large he pointed out. own medicinal garden. number of expired and Madhya Pradesh has urged Mr. Sarangi stressed the need substandard drugs, charged the Centre to arrange for an for a clinic in each of the the activist leaders, accusing additional Rs 763 crore for the affected communities. the State Government of 20 wards so that a minimum of He said employment, deliberately causing harm to Rs 25,000 could be provided pension, safe drinking water, the victims of Union Carbide. per person. medical research, health Of 83 samples of medicines Raising a voice of protest, surveillance, besides a clean- collected from the store, 30 former Gas, Tragedy Relief and up of the soil, and groundwater were found to have crossed Rehabilitation minister Arif contaminated by the toxic their expiry date. Aqueel blamed the BJP for waste at the Carbide plant site Many of these expired delay in declaring entire Bhopal were essential for the well- medicines were antibiotics such as Gas Tragedy-affected as being of the population. as Norfloxacin, Ampicillin and that party's government took no The clinic, which provides Tetracyclin and steroids such action on the matter while in free care to gas victims, would as Prednisolone that could power at the Centre. hold a four-day exhibition at the cause serious damage to Ram Lakhan Sharma Swaraj Bhavan here to mark people's health. (Communist Party of India the 22nd anniveotographs, More than half of the Marxist) and IMP Verma documents and other material samples collected were of (Bahujan Samaj Party) also linked to the gas leak would be medicines manufactured in took part in the discussion. displayed. Indore, the activists said. Central Chronicle / Bhopal Hindu/ Delhi / 30/11/06 According to them, three 04/11/06 Indore firms that are among the Bhopal gas victims largest suppliers of drugs to the Over 6,600 gas victims Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and getting sub-standard Rehabilitation Department have treated drugs: NGOs been found to be producing substandard drugs by the Drug Clinic has over 18,000 people "Criminal neglect of medical Controller of Rajasthan this registered care by State Government" year. In fact, two truckloads of # Clinic has completed 10 BHOPAL: Four non- medicines from two of these years of service government organisations companies were being # Stress for clinic in each of the working here among the victims unloaded at the office of the affected communities of the Union Carbide gas Chief Medical Officer when the disaster of 1984 and ground citizens' raid took place. BHOPAL : More than 6,600 water contamination have The leaders said they had been people affected by the Union alleged after conducting raids campaigning against the poor Carbide plant gas leak in 1984 on Wednesday on two medical quality of medicines at have been treated this year at stores of the Madhya Pradesh hospitals meant for gas victims the Sambhavna Trust Clinic Gas Relief Department that a for many years. here. large number of expired and They alleged large-scale Addressing presspersons substandard drugs are being corruption and said the issue of here on Wednesday, managing used for treatment of the gas poor quality of medicines had trustee Satinath Sarangi said victims. even been brought before the the clinic had completed 10 Supreme Court by the years of service and had about 7

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Monitoring Committee in October 2005 when the Committee had recommended that random samples of medicines be taken and sent for testing at reputed labs. According to the activist leaders, the State Government has not sent any medicine sample for quality testing so far. On October 5 this year the representatives of the four survivors' organisations had raised the issue of "poor quality medicines" at the meeting of the Coordination Committee on Bhopal (CCB) that has been set up on the directives of the Prime Minister. At this meeting, attended by a Secretary to the State Government, the Director of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation and the Chief Medical Officer (Gas Relief), they had presented a list of 22 medicines from the medical store of Khan Shakir Ali Khan Hospital for investigation. The activist leaders, Rashida Bi and Champa Devi Shukla of Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karmachari Sangh, Shahid Noor of Bhopal ki Aawaaz, Rachna Dhingra and Satinath Sarangi of Bhopal Group for Information and Action told media persons that they would go on an indefinite fast to put pressure on the State Government on issues of medical care, employment, social rehabilitation and environmental remediation. They said that the fast, to coincide with the New Year, would be for a new beginning in relief and rehabilitation of the victims of Union Carbide disaster. Hindu / Delhi / 15/12/06

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster BHOPAL GAS DISASTER [JANUARY - DECEMBER, 2007]

To get Dow to invest, However, the positive note is against Union Carbide Tata offers to lead that Dow has been allowed proceeding in the court, it finds collaboration with Reliance the Department of Chemicals initiative on Bhopal Industries Ltd by the Ministry of suggestion that Dow fork out Industry after taking a green Rs 100 crore as an SHISHIR GUPTA signal from the Law Ministry. interpretation that the IN a first-of-its-kind corporate The foreign collaboration government was holding Dow move, Tata group chairman approval was given to Dow in liable. In a letter to the Ministry Ratan Tata has volunteered his October, signalling that India of Industry on December 8, the services to the UPA has not blacklisted Dow as an Charge d’ Affairs of the US government for “remediation” of investor. Embassy in Delhi urged the the Bhopal gas tragedy site to Dow now has large-scale government to withdraw the Rs pave the way for Dow plans to invest in Madhya 100-crore claim on Dow. Chemicals, now the majority Pradesh and proposes to even While the top leadership of stakeholder of Union Carbide employ relatives of the Bhopal the UPA government is in Ltd, to invest in India. gas tragedy survivors. West favour of burying the legacy, a Tata’s initiative comes after Bengal Chief Minister senior Cabinet Minister told Dow Chemicals President and Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has The Indian Express: “It is a sad CEO Andrew N Liveris also indicated to Ministry of history but should not bring expressed his apprehension in External Affairs (MEA) about a stalemate. Dow has making large-scale invest- representatives that he is come to work in India, it is not ments in India after the De looking towards Dow setting up shying and running away... if partment of Chemicals and a chemical industry in his state. we do not help Dow settle this, Fertilizers filed an application in So in a bid to break the then the company will move to a PIL in a district court sug deadlock, Tata wrote to Thailand or Vietnam.” gesting that the $46-billion Planning Commission Vice local industry CEOs, chemical giant should con Chairman Montek Singh Madhya Pradesh Government tribute Rs 100 crore ($22 mil Ahluwalia on November 28 that and New Delhi to expedite the lion) for remediation of the site. he was willing “to lead and find remediation efforts. However, At the India -US CEO forum funding for remediation of site the positive note is that Dow meeting in New York last above and below ground” in has been al- lowed October, Liveris pointed out Bhopal. collaboration with Reliance that the liability, if any, is of It is understood that Tata Industries Ltd by the Ministry of Union Carbide, which still exists wants to set up a corpus with Industry after taking a green as a separate company, and no the help of other Indian signal from the Law Ministry. liability rests with Dow as it was companies and Dow to clean The foreign collaboration ap- not in the picture when the up the Bhopal plant site. Given proval was given to Dow in disaster took place 22 years that the issue is complex and October, signalling that India ago. Dow purchased Union Car has implications for investors, has not blacklisted Dow as an bide Ltd in 1999. the UPA government is toying investor. Dow now has large- While Dow has made it with the idea of setting up of a scale plans to invest in Madhya clear that it would be willing to Committee of Secretaries Pradesh and proposes to even contribute voluntarily to the under Cabinet Secretary B K employ relatives of the Bhopal remediation of the site as part Chaturvedi to examine Tata’s gas tragedy survivors. West of the Indian CEOs’ corporate proposal and implementation of Bengal Chief Min- ister effort, it wants the government the site remediation plan. An Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee has to clarify that it does not hold alternative is an inter -ministerial also indicated to Ministry of Dow legally re sponsible for the meeting with Tata or his External Affairs (ME A) liabilities of Union Carbide. representatives. representatives that he is Writing to the MEA on Dow Chemicals purchased looking towards Dow setting up November 8, Liveris, who is a Union Carbide after all civil a chemical industry in his state. member of Indo-US CEO claims were settled as per the So in a bid to break the forum, said that it was not Supreme Court’s decision. deadlock, Tata wrote to possible for Dow to invest in However, NGOs, in a PIL filed Planning Commission Vice India unless the issue was in the district court, have Chairman Montek Singh cleared. The Dow CEO said claimed that Dow must be held Ahluwalia on November 28 that that it wants to work with the responsible for the remediation he was willing “to lead and find local industry CEOs, Madhya measures at the Bhopal site. fu nding for remediation of site Pradesh Government and New But Dow says that while it is above and below ground” in Delhi to expedite the comfortable with the case Bhopal. It is understood that remediation efforts. 9

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Tata wants to set up a corpus variety of ways. From the first malfeasance don’t apply here. with the help of other Indian shoddy efforts following the And when they did — the time companies and Dow to clean terrible incident to non- when the tragedy happened — up the Bhopal plant site. Given disbursal of compensation the government didn’t seem to that the issue is complex and years after the tragedy — it care. Bhopal’s victims paid. has implications for investors, took a PIL and a resultant court They are still paying. the UPA government is toying ruling for the government to Indian Express/ Delhi/ with the idea of setting up of a start moving on this front — 02/01/07 Committee of Secretaries official responses have made under Cabinet Secretary B K clear there were two villains in 1984 Bhopal survivors Chaturvedi to examine Tata’s the Bhopal case: the callously proposal and implementation of negligent factory management say Ratan Tata anti- the site remediation plan. An and the consistently indifferent national alternative is an inter -ministerial government. That is why official meeting with Tata or his attempts to act virtuous over NEW DELHI, JANUARY 3: representatives. Bhopal-related matters are Leaders of four organisations of Dow Chemicals purchased particularly hard to swallow. survivors of the December Union Carbide after all civil More so, when after decades, 1984 Union Carbide disaster in claims were settled as per the some sensible proposals are Bhopal have condemned Tata Supreme Court’s de- cision. being heard. Group Chairman Ratan Tata’s However, NGOs, in a PIL filed As this newspaper reported offer to clear the path for Dow- in the district court, have on Monday, Ratan Tata has Union Carbide’s investments in claimed that Dow must be held volunteered to take the lead in India by leading an effort to pay responsible for the remediation remediation — bureaucratese for and clean up Union measures at the Bhopal site. for a clean-up — of the Bhopal Carbide’s toxic waste in But Dow says that while it is site and Dow Chemicals, which Bhopal. comfortable with the case bought Union Carbide in 1999, Displaying a poster of Ratan against Union Carbide has offered to be part of the Tata with a garland of shoes proceeding in the court, it finds process, including making around his neck they called him the Department of Chemicals substantial financial an anti-national element, who suggestion that Dow fork out contributions. Since the was causing damage to the Rs 100 crore as an department of chemicals is a people and environment by interpretation that the plaintiff in an MP district court facilitating the expansion of US government was holding Dow case where the demand is that multinational Dow Chemical in liable. In a letter to the Ministry Dow should pay Rs 100 crore this country. They appealed to of Industry on December 8, the for the clean-up, the question Bhopal survivors to boycott Charge d’ Affairs of the US before the government is this: Tata’s salt as a mark of protest, Embassy in Delhi urged the should it let the issue of Dow and have launched a national govern- ment to withdraw the investing in India get horribly boycott campaign. Rs 100-crore claim on Dow. complicated by taking time and The leaders emphasised While the top leadership of the pushing files over the chemical that Dow Chemical took over UPA government is in favour of company’s legal liabilities, or the environmental liabilities of burying the legacy, a senior should it sort out the issue Bhopal when it became the Cabinet Minister told The quickly? The only victim in the 100% owner of Union Carbide Indian Express: “It is a sad case of a quick decision will be in 2001. They said according to history but should not bring various departments’ efforts to the “polluter pays principle”, about a stalemate. Dow has look good. which is valid in the US and come to work in India, it is not What needs to be India, Dow/Union Carbide must shying and running away... if remembered here is that the pay for the clean up in Bhopal. we do not help Dow settle this, issue here is not of fixing Indian Express/ Delhi/ then the com - pany will move to criminal responsibility. Were 04/0 1/2007 Thailand or Vietnam.” that the case, no negotiations Indian Express/Delhi/01/01/07 or offers would have mattered. Bhopal Gas tragedy: The government wants Dow to SC asks MP govt to Do and Dow pay, Dow is willing to pay, a respected Indian industrial furnish response to

house is willing to lead the Proposal for voluntary panel’s report corporate clean-up of Bhopal process. So who gains if the gas site merits serious department of chemicals insists NEW DELHI, JANUARY 24: consideration that the court case must be the The Supreme Court today Successive Indian only way to sort out how much asked the Madhya Pradesh governments have failed money Dow puts in? Government to furnish its Bhopal’s gas victims in a Arguments about corporate response to the monitoring 10

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster committee’s report on whether of the tragedy. It was pointed for the gas affected has already medical facilities were out that there was severe consider the remaining 20 inadequate for the victims of shortage of medicines and wards as the gas affected in the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, medical facilities, which was principal. The union minister for as noted by the committee aggravating the problem. human resources development appointed to ensure timely and Besides, the fifth report of the Arjun Singh is the chairperson adequate medicare facilities to monitoring committee which of the committee. It may be the victims. remarked about the “woeful” recalled that a proposal was The response will be filed performance of the State passed by the state assembly within six weeks, said the Government in extending and sent to the union Bench of Justices CK Thakker proper medicare to the victims, government for its clearance. and Lokeshwar Singh Panta, was also placed on record. The CMO of the gas relief who also directed the court - Indian Express/ Delhi/ department Dr DP Agrawal appointed advisory committee 25/01/07 informed that an amount of Rs. to file its report within six six crore 15 lakh has been weeks. Rs 3 cr to be spent for the free medical The directions were issued treatment of the gas affected on the PIL alleging gross earmarked for gas-hit cancer patients so far. And a neglect of the victims by the cancer patients provision of Rs hreet crore is authorities in extending proper being made in the next financial medicare and treatment Bhopal, Feb 3: The fund year's budget. Further, a facilities. PS Narasimha, amounting to Rs 70 lakh proposal of Rs two crore is counsel appearing for one of earmarked for the medical being sent to the union the NGOs complained that treatment of the cancer patients government as per the while the monitoring committee of Bhopal gas tragedy will be recommendations made by the has been meeting regularly and increased to more than four Indian council of medical performing its duties, the folds ie Rs three crore in the research and renowned advisory committee constituted next financial year. Similarly, scientists of the country to set with eminent personalities has the hospitals of the gas relief up 24 research projects not been functional for the past department would keep on regarding scientific study of two years. providing medical facilities on disastrous effect of gas on the In compliance with the SC’s chargeable basis to the non health of the people. Of these directions, the State gas affected patients on seven projects namely Government on August 17, humanitarian ground. respiratory system, 2004 had constituted the two The aforesaid information ophthalmology, mental committees. According to the was given during the meeting diseases, epidemiological terms of references, while the of the departmental advisory study, cyrogemetic, cancer and monitoring committee was committee of the gas relief immunology have al ready been entrusted with the task of department. The minister for started. ensuring timely, efficient and gas tragedy relief and Moreover, Rs 90 lakh have effective medicare facilities to rehabilitation Babulal Gaur been spent on the study of the victims, the advisory presided over the meeting. The chemical waste and its committee was to examine the members of the committee collection so far. Out of which treatment practices adopted by MLAs Bhaktapal Singh, Rs ten lakh each have been the Government and suggest Phoolsingh Mewada, Principal paid to the IICT, NEERI and proper measures to overcome Secretary Gas Relief MM NGRI apart from Rs 60 lakh to the loopholes. It was directed to Upadhyaya, Director Gas Relief MP pollution control board. submit its report to the apex MK Varshney and several Central Chronicle / Bhopal court after every six months. officers were present on the 04/02/07 However, the counsel informed occasion. how the advisory committee Moreover, it has been Toxic legacy had not been meeting for the decided in the meeting to past two years and was also pursue the case strongly with Ratan Tata's offer to help find not submitting its report to the the union government funds to remove the toxic waste apex court as directed. regarding announcement of the in UCC's Bhopal plant is After the tragedy in 1984, remaining 20 wards of Bhopal inconsistent with the `polluter three of the NGOs fighting for as the gas affected and pays' principle. the victims had in January distribution of the relief amount. 1998, filed a petition in the A demand of Rs 763 crore has V.VENKATESAN apex court alleging that on an been placed before the union average 10 to 15 people were government for these wards. THE `polluter pays' principle, dying every month in the state Gaur informed that the high which is a basic part of on account of the after effects power committee constituted environmental law, requires 11

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster that polluters bear the remedial Tata Group's spokesperson on renowned scientists P.M. or clean-up costs of the January 17, made a similar Bhargava of the Centre for damage they cause to the suggestion. In the letter, Tata Cellular and Molecular Biology, environment and the urged that remediation of the Hyderabad, and J.P. Gupta, expenditure of compensating gas tragedy site be considered Director-General, Gujarat the victims of the pollution. In because of the likelihood of Energy Research and the case of the victims of the contamination of the soil and Management Institute. The 1984 Bhopal gas disaster, the groundwater in the area, which mandate of the TSC is to give polluter, Union Carbide would endanger the health and clear recommendations for the Corporation (UCC), may claim lives of the people of Bhopal. safe removal and disposal of that it fulfilled the second part He suggested that one way the stored toxic waste. of this principle, that is, forward might be to establish a The TSC has so far met payment of compensation to fund for the remediation of the twice. In its first meeting, held the victims through the site. "Should the government at the CPCB, Delhi, on July 10, settlement with the Gove and the courts endorse such a 2006, Bhargava suggested that rnment of India, approved by line of action, an effort could be the first option should be to the Supreme Court. But the made to bring [together] like- apply the `polluter pays' question of fixing the liability for minded corporate houses to principle, and hence Dow the remediation of the toxic contribute to such a fund. Chemicals Co. should waste left behind by its These suggestions are totally undertake the disposal of the subsidiary Union Carbide India independent of the issues waste. Dow Chemicals Co., he Ltd. (UCIL), which ran the being addressed in the courts," said, must take responsibility abandoned pesticide plant in he noted in his letter. In June for and bear the cost of its Bhopal, continues to be 2005, under orders from the removal from UCIL, Bhopal, intractable. Madhya Pradesh High Court in and its safe disposal in a Tata Group chairman Ratan a petition filed under a public suitable manner. He stated that Tata, according to a report interest litigation (PIL), the the entire process and the carried in The Indian Express Madhya Pradesh Pollution treatments discussed by the on January 1, has offered, in a Control Board (MPPCB) TSC should be considered the letter to Planning Commission initiated the process of second option. The TSC Deputy Chairman Msontek removing the toxic waste from agreed to this suggestion and Singh Ahluwalia, to take the the plant site (Frontline, July decided that it should be placed lead in finding the funds for 15, 2005). The effort was before the task force for remediation of the Bhopal site, discontinued after the High consideration (according to the above and below ground. Rata Court constituted a task force minutes of the TSC meeting Tata has apparently made this to assess the magnitude of the accessed by Frontline). offer to enable Dow Chemicals problem. The task force set up In its second meeting, held Co. - the company that a technical subcommittee on August 26, 2006, the TSC inherited in 1999 UCC's assets (TSC) to suggest steps that unanimously recommended and liabilities - to invest in India could be taken to dispose of that the government should ask without getting bogged down in the waste that is lying above Dow Chemicals Co. to take all UCC's liabilities with regard to ground and that has been the waste out of the country (in the clean-up. The Union excavated from a number of such a manner that no one is Ministry of Chemicals & sites within the UCIL factory submitted to any health Fertilizers has urged the grounds. hazards and all legitimate Madhya Pradesh High Court to The TSC includes the environmental concerns are direct Dow to deposit Rs.100 Chairman of the MPPCB, P.D. addressed) for disposal at their crores with the government for Meena; Senior Scientist of the expense. This, the TSC felt, the remediation of the site. Dow Central Pollution Control Board would be the only fair, ethical, is reluctant to invest in India or (CPCB), D.D. Basu; Director proper, legal and desirable way consider joint ventures with Grade Scientist of the National of taking care of a problem, for Indian companies until the Environment Engineering the following reasons: government absolves the Research Institute (NEERI), * This step would be company of this liability. Tapan Chakrabarty; Deputy compatible with the universally Survivors of the disaster, Director of the Indian Institute accepted principle that in such therefore, consider Ratan of Chemical Technology, A. cases the responsibility for Tata's offer a mockery of the Krishna Reddy; and Head of waste disposal must lie with `polluter pays' principle. the Environment Management those who generate the waste. Earlier, in his letter to Division, Confederation of * When Dow acquired Union Finance Minister P. Indian Industry (CII), K.P. Nyati. Carbide, it acquired all its Chidambaram on July 10, The TSC has two co-opted assets and liabilities. 2006, Ratan Tata, according to members, in compliance with * Precedence exists where a press release issued by the the High Court. They are the India has exported hazardous

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster waste that could not be safely comments on this matter in Case, 1996): "The `polluter handled in the country. In order to determine the best way pays' principle, as interpreted March 2003, the Tamil Nadu of disposing of the waste. by this Court, means that the Pollution Control Board ordered In the PIL before the High absolute liability for harm to the M/s Hindustan Lever Ltd. to Court, the Central government environment extends not only export 286 tonnes of its sought the court's direction to to compensate the victims of mercury-contaminated waste to make Dow Chemicals deposit pollution but also the cost of an overseas facility. Rs.100 crores for restoring the environmental * Faced with a similar environmental remediation and degradation. Remedying the problem, that of obsolete restoration. The High Court damaged environment is part of pesticides, Africa called for and postponed consideration of this the process of `Sustainable constituted a multi-stakeholder plea as in its view the removal Development' and as such the partnership called the Africa of the waste rather than the polluter is liable to pay the cost Stockpiles Programme (ASP) fixing of responsibility should to the individual who suffers as involving African countries, get priority because unless well as the cost of reversing the international donors, non- removed immediately the waste damaged ecology." The governmental organisations could cause another disaster. It Supreme Court's ruling in this and pesticide manufacturers' is unclear how the Central case is binding on the Bhopal associations. The programme government quantified the remediation case currently envisages "repackaging and amount to be advanced by the being heard by the Madhya export to developed countries polluter, as activists allege it is Pradesh High Court. for final destruction" of an underestimation. Frontline 09/02/07 stockpiled pesticides, and all Apparently, however, the activities will be carried out in Central government's plea Bhopal gas survivors line with the strictest health and before the High Court is a environmental standards major hurdle to be crossed by go on dharna again (www.africastockpiles.org) . Dow before it accepts * In 1995, the European invitations for investments and NAMRATA BIJI AHUJA Commission procured 230 collaborations in India. Dow is New Delhi, Feb. 23: It has been tonnes of off-specification also evading criminal liability for one year since 55 survivors of fungicide from Rwanda. the disaster before the Bhopal the Bhopal gas tragedy * Nearly 300 tonnes of District Court and has secured embarked on an 800-kin-long obsolete pesticides were a stay from the High Court on journey on foot from Bhopal to repackaged and exported to the notice issued to it by the New Delhi to meet Prime Britain from Yemen with the District Court. Minister Manmohan Singh, assistance of the Food and In view of the TSC's demanding relief and, Agriculture Organisation, the recommendation, the High rehabilitation for the survivors. Netherlands and Germany. Court may well introspect However, even after a year, If Dow does not agree to whether it was prudent to there has been no relief for the remove the waste and ship it postpone the determination of survivors, who have once again overseas, the government Dow Chemicals' liability as a gone on an indefinite dharna, should freeze the assets of polluter. The determination at alleging "inaction" and Dow and all its subsidiaries and the earliest of the polluter's complete apathy on part of the associated companies. In the liability can help avoid what the Madhya Pradesh government. event that Dow refuses to TSC has described as the More than 400 survivors of the remove the waste, there may hazards of incineration in Union Carbide disaster in be no alternative but to go in for unregulated situations, as is the Bhopal marched with burning incineration. Incineration may case in India. India, according torches to the chief minister's then be carried out in such a to the TSC, has no prior residence on Friday as part of way that the people concerned experience in trying to use any the campaign "Jeene ka Haq and civil society are satisfied alternatives to incineration (Right to Live)". The marchers and it is ensured, with total either. More importantly, the condemned the chief minister's transparency and with determination of Dow's liability indifference towards the participation of civil society, that for the clean -up is imperative to suffering of the people all conceivable hazards to restrict consideration by the poisoned in the gas tragedy. health have been adequately government of mindless offers Leaders of the Bhopal Gas addressed. from Dow's friends in India to Peedit Sangh alleged that the Bhargava and Gupta will remediate Bhopal's waste on state government is blocking also need to access the data its behalf. the implementation of the collected by NEERI (in the mid- It is useful to recall what the decisions of the Coordination 1990s) with regard to the Supreme Court said in Indian Committee on Bhopal (CCB), chemical waste in the factory Council for Enviro -Legal Action which was set up to provide site and give detailed vs. Union of India (The Bichhri relief and rehabilitation for the victims. 13

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster "The CCB was set up after Dr with defects by the Chingari indefinite hunger strike," said Singh conceded to the Trust, an organisation working Ms. Rashida Bee. demands of the Bhopal for gas victims. Demanding The victims are demanding padayatris after they sat on a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 proper health care, economic 14-day dharna followed by a and free medical care from the rehabilitation, social support, seven-day hungerstrike in state government, they claimed protection from Union Carbide's February-March 2006 in the the children suffered from poisons and a responsive capital," said Rashida Bi of the defects like cerebral palsy, cleft administration. Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila lip, missing palate and the like. "We are demanding that the Stationery Karma chari Sangh. Indian Express/Delhi/ 26/ 02/ most basic means of survival The CCB was set up with the 07 be provided to those affected." participation of senior officials Bhopal gas tragedy survivors Apart from the multinational from the Central and state threaten stir to press demands corporation Union Carbide and governments and its new dispensation Dow representatives of survivors' They have been demanding Chemical, the Central and organisations. clean drinking water, medicare State Governments are The survivors' responsible for the fallouts of organisations, including Bhopal # Madhya Pradesh the disaster that struck 22 ki Awaaz and Bhopal Group for "obstructing" rehabilitation of years ago, said Satinath Information and Action, said survivors Sarangi of the Bhopal Group that they have made repeated # "Supreme Court orders for Information and Action. attempts to meet the chief ignored" The Madhya Pradesh minister since June 2006. "All Government had spent close to efforts have been futile and NEW DELHI: Representatives Rs. 500 crore in the name of several petitions on behalf of of the Bhopal gas tragedy relief and rehabilitation, but people poisoned in the tragedy survivors have threatened to go survivors still did not have have gone unanswered," they on an indefinite hunger strike in proper medical care or alleged. "The current BJP Bhopal from March 5 if their adequate rehabilitation, he government has surpassed all long -pending demands are not said. previous governments in terms immediately met. Hindu/Delhi/02/03/07 of incompetence, corruption The demands include clean and apathy shown towards the drinking water, adequate Students oppose plight of victims," said the medical care and social survivors' organisations. rehabilitation. Tatas’s offer to clean Reports of the Supreme Addressing a press Bhopal toxic waste Court committee for medical conference here on Thursday, monitoring have -exposed the Union Carbide gas disaster Students from Delhi have now miserable state of healthcare of survivor and winner of joined the protest against the survivors. The reports Goldman Environmental Prize, Tata’s offer to clean up the highlight the lack of Rashida Bee, charged the Union Carbide factory, the site standardised treatment protocol Madhya Pradesh Government of the tragic Bhopal gas in hospitals meant for gas with obstructing medical care disaster of 1984. victims. and rehabilitation of the The students and youth held Asian Age/ New Delhi/ survivors. a demonstration and formed a 24/02/07 "We have been sitting on human chain in front of an dharna for the past many days office of the Tata group in Bhopal survivors in the Capital, but we are yet to Connaught Place in the Capital get any assurance from to protest against its offer to demand pension, free Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister clean the toxic wastes treatment about the welfare of those abandoned by the Union affected. The State Carbide in Bhopal. Bhopal: : Claiming that Government is ignoring the About 40 students from chromosomal aberrations Supreme Court orders various colleges in Delhi under among people exposed to regarding supply of safe water the banner of ‘We for Bhopal Union Carbide’s toxic gases to the people living in the and Tarunima’, an organisation have caused birth defects contaminated areas and has fighting against the Union among their children, survivors not implemented any of the Carbide, criticised Tata’s offer of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy recommendations of the to clear the wastes. They said it on Sunday sought monthly Monitoring Committee set up would clear Carbide’s liabilities pension and free treatment for by the Supreme Court for and enable it and its new owner them. Over 120 children of gas - supervising the Government Dow chemical to expand their affected parents, below the age health care system. We are businesses in India. of 12, were identified as born now forced to go on an

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster “It is the responsibility of the discuss the problems of gas moved in to a community close polluter to clean the wastes. tragedy-affected areas”. The to the factory. The Tatas should first clear charter of demands included The other two hunger their wastes in different parts of making arrangements for the strikers are Rachna Dhingra the country,” said Shalini medical treatment of victims, and Satinath Sarangi who are Sharma, student coordinator of providing jobs, ensuring not affected themselves but the Campaign for Justice in rehabilitation, supplying pure have been involved with relief, Bhopal. water and disposing of research and campaign efforts According to Suroopa chemical waste accumulated in in support of the Bhopal Mukherjee, advisor to students - the now-closed Union Carbide survivors for years. led We for Bhopal group, a factory premises. The organisations are government-aided clean-up Tribune/ Delhi/ 04/ 03/ 07 demanding free medical care of retains the possibility of the residents of communities recovering the money from the Gas tragedy survivors near the Union Carbide factory company depending on the with contaminated ground outcome of the ongoing case in go on fast water, implementation of a drug the Madhya Pradesh High policy to ensure evidence Court. “But the Tata’s offer of a BHOPAL : Six persons based treatment with quality charitable clean-up would make representing the survivors of medicines and greater it impossible to pin liability and the Union Carbide gas disaster emphasis on Yoga and herbal recover the cost from the of 1984 began an indefinite fast treatments in the health care of company,” she added. here on Monday demanding the people affected by toxic Tribune/Delhi/04/ 03/ 07 "proper medical care, economic ch emicals. and social rehabilitation and They are also calling upon Bhopal gas survivors protection from Union Carbide's the State Government to poisons that continue to kill and ensure adequacy of doctors protest, 9 held maim people even after 22 and diagnostic equipment in ye ars". the hospitals and clinics meant Nine persons were arrested The fast is part of an for treatment of the poisoned this afternoon after hundreds of ongoing "Jeene Kaa Haq" people. women, led by various (Right to Live) campaign led by Hindu/Delhi/06/03/07 organisations supporting a four - four organisations - Bhopal Gas point charter of demands by Peedit Mahila Stationery Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims, Karmachari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Paswan’s assurance staged a demonstration in front Peedit Mahila Purush to Bhopal gas of Madhya Pradesh chief Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal Ki survivors minister Shivraj Singh Aawaaz, and Bhopal Group for Chouhan’s residence. Information and Action -- The International Campaign for The protesters, who working among the survivors of Justice in Bhopal (ICJB) reached the place in two the disaster and those affected received some hope after union vehicles, were adamant about by ground water contamination chemicals and fertilisers meeting Chouhan, squatted on caused due to the negligence minister Ram Vilas Paswan the road and shouted slogans. of Union Carbide's current assured its representatives in “The arrests were executed owner, Dow Chemical the Capital yesterday that he as the women were in a company. would take up issues of prohibited area. Those The hunger strikers include survivors of world's worst apprehended included the the Goldman Environmental industrial disaster with the Bhopal Group for Information Prize winner Rashida Bee who Prime Minister. and Action’s Rachna Dhingra, lost of her six family members Six ICJB members, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila to cancer and herself suffers including four survivors of the Udyog Sangathan’s Rasheeda from chronic physical and Union Carbide disaster of 1984, Bi, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila mental problems ever since the have been on an indefinite fast Stationery Karmachari Sangh’s disaster. in Bhopal, demanding medical Farida Bi and Shahzadi Bi. Others include Guddi Bee care, economic and social They were attempting to force and Jabbar Khan who live next rehabilitation and protection to their way in,” said SP Anant to the Union Carbide factory the environment from toxic Kumar Singh. and are affected due to substances that continues to Meanwhile, Dhingra said the contaminated ground water. affect people of Bhopal even demonstrators draped shrouds The fourth member in the after 22 years. The hunger around themselves after their group, Shehazadi Bee, was strikers include Goldman demands were not met. “For a exposed to Carbide's toxic Environmental prize winner long time, the women were gases in 1984 and then to Rashida Bee, who lost six seeking a meeting with the contaminated water when she family members to cancer and chief minister as they wished to 15

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster she herself suffers from chronic dharna and third day into the providing proper medical care physical and mental problems fast,” he says. and rehabilitation. ever since the disaster. Besides this, the survivors Goldman environmental Late last evening in Delhi, are also protesting against prize winner Rasheeda Bi, ICJB members Shalini Sharma, Ratan Tata's offer to lead a Guddi Bi, Jabbar Khan, Suroopa Mukherjee and CPI charitable clean -up of the toxic Shahjad Bi, Rachna Dhingra National Secretary D. Raja wastes abandoned by Union and Satinath Sarangi on shared the concerns of the Carbide in Bhopal. " Tata’s indefinite fast for the last nine survivors with Paswan and offer is meant to clear days. The health of all the six presented him a memorandum. Carbide's liabilities and enable persons on fast are being “The minister was very it and its new owner Dow monitored by doctors from the supporti ve. He spoke on the Chemical to expand their Gandhi Medical College and phone with survivors' businesses in India,” the according to the latest reports representative Satinath survivors allege. the health of all the six is Sarangi, who is also fasting in The Union Carbide had fled deteriorating. Bhopal, and promised to take India after the 1984 Bhopal It may be mentioned here up the matter with the Prime disaster, abandoning that the chief minister, who had Minister. He was concerned thousands of tonnes of toxic earlier promised to accept all that while the Central wastes. In 2001, Dow Chemical `logical and lawful' demands of Government provided the state took over all of Carbide's the gas affected remains to government with Rs 14 crore assets. “But Dow failed to respond to the specific for clean drinking water through produce Union Carbide to face demands of the protestors even Kolar pipeline, but no progress trial in India, and refused to after nine days of fast. had been made in this regard,” take responsibility for cleaning Central Chroncile / Bhopal says Shalini. up the toxic contamination. 15/03/07 Survivors say that despite Because of these unresolved the Prime Minister agreeing to liabilities, Dow Chemical has Tragedy’s children demands of the 55 Bhopal put investment plans on hold. survivors, who marched 800 Tata's offer will allow Union Bhopal gas victims demand a km for 33 days on foot from Carbide to go scot-free, and proper rehabilitation package Bhopal to Delhi last year, the even allow the company to including research-based state government continues to resume business in India,” the treatment be indifferent. ICJB says.

“ Our demands stem from Tribune/Delhi/ 09/ 03/ 07 Sanjay Sharma / Bhopal the fact that the Madhya Even after 22 years, the world’s Pradesh government has not Gas-hit demonstrate worst industrial disaster in implemented any of the at CM house Bhopal remains a painful decisions reached at the two memory for the people of the meetings of the Coordination Bhopal, Mar 14: Over 1000 city. The survivors are still Committee on Bhopal (CCB), struggling to overcome the presided over by the joint survivors of the Union Carbide disaster, protesting against the trauma. secretary, Department of The victims are forced to Chemicals and Petrochemicals, indifferent attitude of the state government towards the live a life of destitution, as Ministry of Chemicals and proper rehabilitation measures Fertilizers,” activist Satinath suffering of the people, on Wednesday, demonstrated in have not been tak en after their Saringi. exposure to the toxic gas. They As per the decisions of the front of the residence of the are now facing another CCB, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister. They bitterly criticised the nightmare as the children born government was to prepare an to them are facing physical and action plan for medical, Chief Minister for remaining mental deformities. economic, social and apathetic towards the health condition of the six supporters The survivors of the Bhopal environmental rehabilitation by gas tragedy have launched a December 2006. “However, no who have been fasting for the Jeene Ka Haq (Right to Live) action plan has yet been last 9 days, demanding medical care, economic and social campaign demanding free prepared nor has the state treatment of such children and government formed sub-groups rehabilitation and protection a monthly pension of Rs 1,000 with participation of survivors' from UC poisons. for them from the state organisations to overlook The protestors said that while Union Carbide's poisons government. different aspects of The tragedy occurred on the rehabilitation work. No are still killing people, the survivors are also dying night of December 2/3, 1984, representative of the state when over 40 tonnes of Methyl government has responded untimely deaths because of the state government's failure in Iso-Cyanate (MIC) gas leaked even after 15 days of the out of Union Carbide's 16

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster pesticide plant killing more than Meanwhile the Chingari Trust, the disaster, persons who are 15,000 people. which was set up by Golden unable to work, survivor The tanks full of toxic Peacock Award winners families below the poverty line chemicals had been left there Rashida Bee and Champa Devi and those above 60 years of and washed away by the from the award money they got age with no one to depend on. rainwater and percolated down in 2004 for fighting the cause of The campaign was poisoning the drinking water. the gas victims, is trying to help launched to push forward the According to former workers of those affected. resolution of their long-pending Union Carbide, while the Trust members have been demands, including healthcare, factory was in operation, sitting on dharna for the last 15 economic rehabilitation and massive amounts of chemicals days alongwith with activists social support for the survivors including pesticides, solvents, from other organizations like and their families, availability of catalysts and waste materials the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila safe drinking water and were being dumped in and Stationery Karmachari Sangh removal of hazardous waste around the factory. These (BGPMSKS), Bhopal Gas from the Union Carbide included deadly substances Peedit Mahila Purush Corporation's (UCC) such as aldicarb, carbaryl, Sangharsh Morcha abandoned plant. mercury and several (BGPMPSM), Bhopal Group for The Central government chlorinated chemicals and Information and Action (BGIA) had earlier approved a five- organic pois ons. and Bhopal Ki Aawaaz (BKA) year action plan for the Ironically, no scientist or demanding medical care and medical, social, economic and organisation has come forward economic and social environmental rehabilitation of for research despite several rehabilitation of the victims. the Bhopal gas victims with a request letters being sent to Presenting 14 affected children, total outlay of Rs 163 crore several institutes including the Rachna Dhingra of BGIA said, which was subsequently Indian Council for Medical “These children suffer from increased to Rs 258 crore. Research (ICMR), said defects like cerebral palsy, cleft “This outlay was to be shared Satinath Sarangi, an activist lip, missing palate and between the Centre and the fighting for the cause of the disabilities related to vision, state in a 75:25 ratio. The victims. hearing and mental disorders Centre has already released its Medical aid to the victims and their number could share of Rs 1.93 billion and the cannot be effective without increase if an in-depth survey is state government has been proper research because the conducted.” informed that if further money etiology of the gas syndrome “Last year the trust identified was required by for the and second -generation 100 children with different kinds rehabilitation programmes damage has not been properly of birth defects. Later started under the action plan, understood, said Sarangi. specialists from New Delhi and such funds should be provided The varied effects of the Bhopal at a health camp found as a part of the state plan in chemicals on the ground water that a large number of children consultation with the Planning and the level of contamination are suffering from cerebral Commission”, minister of state in and around the factory also palsy that causes total for chemicals and fertilizers and needs research, he said, disability. The doctors also parliamentar y affairs, B K adding that high level of found children with cleft lip and Handique has informed the Lok chemicals have been found in missing palate and with Sabha last week. breast milk among women of disabilities related to vision, Sahara Times/ Delhi 18/03/07 the area. Some studies hearing impairment and mental conducted by the Sambhavana functions,” said Sarangi. MP accepts demands Trust Clinic indicated that about Several scientific studies by half of the people living in the the government and non- of Bhopal victims area were suffering from government agencies have multiple diseases. confirmed that several birth NEW DELHI, ARCH 19: Vital areas of study like defects have been caused by Following enormous pressure, neurological problems, chemicals and heavy metals in the Madhya Pradesh hormonal, mental (post the ground water in and around government has agreed to traumatic stress disorder) and the Union Carbide factory. meet some of the demands genetic damage in the second The four organizations who related to water, medical care generation need to be properly are determined to continue with and rehabilitation of the people researched for providing the the dharna till the state affected by the Bhopal gas right treatment. Congenital government concedes their tragedy. abnormalities in over 120 demands of ‘Right to Life’ The latest agreement children have been attributed to campaign are also demanding comes after six of the “Right to the exposure of their parents to monthly pensions for the Live” campaigners fasted for MIC gas. women who were widowed in nearly a fortnight in Bhopal. Today, on behalf of the state 17

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster government, the collector failed to honour its against liabilities arising out of handed over a written response commitments. Supporters from Bhopal. to each of the demands raised India, US and other countries Ratan Tata had earlier put by the four organisations sent more than 2,000 faxes to out a suggestion that involved. the Chief Minister and made government allow corporate Now, immediate steps will more than 500 phone calls to India led by Tata to bear the be taken to fill vacant posts in senior bureaucrats and cost of remediation. Ratan Tata hospitals meant for gas - ministers in the Madhya is also the co-chair of the US- affected people. Doctors and Pradesh Government in this India CEO Forum, a body of specialists at the gas relief regard Indian and US industrialists hospitals will henceforth be Indian Express/ Delhi/ created to foster bilateral hired on five year contracts in 20/03/ 07 business relations. place of two years. The Liveris’s letter states that government will also vacate Dow doesn’t want to ‘‘given the statement made by 152 work sheds in the Special the government representatives Industrial Area within three clean up Bhopal in front of all meeting attendees months to establish that Dow is not responsible for employment generating New Delhi: Efforts to end the Bhopal and will not be pursued industries. Additionally, the deadlock over compensation by the GOI, it will be important state government will help for Bhopal victims while to follow through to ensure that survivors form Self Help absolving Dow Chemical concrete sustained actions are Groups that will carry out Company has seen the firm taken that are consistent with production activities and lobby its case with Indian these statements.’’ Liveris says survivors will be given priority government, claiming that in the letter to the ambassador: while granting loans and Indian officials had held a ‘‘I appreciate your continued subsidies through existing self similar view. support regarding these employment schemes. A letter from Dow Chemical proposals, and would value an The state government also Company’s chairman Andrew N opportunity to discuss next agreed to provide all Liveris to the Indian steps with you.’’ information on soil and ground ambassador to the US, Ronen Ratan Tata in his water contamination in and Sen, claims that Indian communication to Ahluwalia around the Union Carbide government representatives at enclosed a copy of Liveris’s factory and to build a wall the US-India CEO Forum in letter and says: ‘‘It (withdrawal around its premises to protect New York in 2006 made of fertiliser ministry’s order to children and cattle from statements absolving Dow of Dow to deposit money) is a key hazardous materials. For responsibility for the Bhopal aspect and I wanted your provision of safe water in the disaster. As a result, Liveris assessment as to whether this vicinity of the abandoned requests that the Union ministry is possible. ’’ factory, 50 additional tanks will of chemical and fertilisers Times of India/ Delhi/ be provided within a month’s withdraw its order asking Dow 10/04/07 time. to pay Rs 100 crore for the The demands of the cleanup of the disaster -hit area. UC related foetuses campaigners regarding setting Interestingly, the letter has up of an office of the also been forwarded to deputy find no takers Coordination Committee on chairman of the Planning Bhopal and formation of sub- Commission Montek Singh Adhir Kumar Saxena groups on medical care, Ahluwalia by none other than Bhopal, Apr 9: Even after 23 economic, social and Ratan Tata with a suggestion years of the Union Carbide environmental rehabilitation that accepting Dow’s position catastrophe, foetuses and other with participation of survivors’ would help ‘break the vital organs collected from the organisations was also deadlock’. unfortunate victims remain at accepted. Revealing the letters, the Medico Legal Institute of On behalf of the state secured via an RTI application, Bhopal. The Medico Legal government, the collector will Rachna Dhingra of the Bhopal Institute has no idea what to do organise a follow up meeting Group for Information and with about 25 foetuses it had after a month to take stock of Action, said that the fact that preserved with an intention of progress made with regard to Liveris writes that ‘‘resolution of offering them for some sort of different issues. the Bhopal legacy issue must research. Meanwhile, the Bhopal be seen as a tangible, Despite several efforts of organisations said public action deliverable outcome for the the institute director, no one had been planned in India and CEO Forum’’ confirms has come forward to opt for abroad for April and May in the suspicions that there is research work on the world's event the State Government pressure on the Indian worst industrial disaster. Apart government to indemnify Dow from the foetuses, vital human 18

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster parts including liver, spleen and P M Bhargava, a member of Force in its ninth meeting held brain of foetuses also remain in the Technical Sub Committee on October 16, 2006, had only the shelves waiting for either (TSC) appointed by the retained the suggestion to ship government institute or private Madhya Pradesh High Court to the waste to the incinerator in one to take up some sort of look into the disposal of the Ankleshwar for disposal, which research. waste, had raised objections they recommended The foetuses belonged to about disposing the waste provisionally only under strict pregnant women who died anywhere in India. conditions. immediately after the gas leak In his report to the Madhya Instead of the Indian on the night of December 3, Pradesh Task Force, appointed government, which is footing 1984, or those who underwent to investigate the case, he had the disposal bill, the committee abortions after the tragedy. recommended that the waste had strongly held that Dow `I am not legally bound to be shipped back to Dow Chemicals should be preserve them but I took it as a Chemical (formerly Union responsible for disposing the social and moral responsibility," Carbide), who have won the waste. The TSC had stated that said Dr DK Satpathy, the disposal case. However, the taking the waste out of the institute's director. No one has Task Force chose to country was “the only fair, shown interest, though I have circumvent his ethical, proper, legal and repeatedly written to the state recommendations. desirable way of taking care of government and the Indian Bhargava, also the vice the problem.” Council of Medical Research chairman of National In a letter addressed to B K (ICMR). Knowledge Commission, Singh, the member-secretary of He said the institute's job member of the National the Madhya Pradesh Pollution was over with the post-mortem Security Advisory board in his Control Board and P D Meena, when it was established that advisory capacity said, “I had the chairman of the MPPCB, the deaths were indeed caused recommended that the present Bhargava had asked Singh why by the leaked gas, Methyl owners — Dow Chemicals he had received only two pages Isocyanate. Once we should dispose the waste not in of the minutes of the Task established that the gas had India, but in the US,” when his Force meeting, and had asked crossed the placental blood recommendations did not figure for the rest of the pages. barrier, we did not need the out in the final report. Indian Express/ Delhi/ foetuses, he added. While Ankleshwar is one of 03/05/07 Normally, they are disposed off the largest chemical industry once the criminal case is tried, hubs in the country, activists SC rejects sop to he said. point out that it has no great According to him these track record in chemical waste Bhopal Gas victims control samples are still useful disposal. The proposal, to compare the effect of the therefore, has the locals New Delhi, May 4: The poisonous gas on lives opposing it. Supreme Court today exposed to it 23 years ago. Bhargava and J P Gupta dismissed an application Institute sources informed that were part of a two member seeking an announcement of apart from the human organs, technical committee appointed compensation for the victims of the institute has also turned by the Madhya Pradesh High the Bhopal Gas tragedy in into a godown for human bones Court. Bhargava is founder December 1984, which claimed as many people do not claim chairman of Centre for Cellular about 3,000 lives. bodies of their near and dear and Molecular Biology, while A Bench comprising ones and at times, the bodies Gupta is an academician at IIT, Justices C K Thakker and H S remain unidentified and they Kanpur. Bedi dismissed the application remain stored in the institute. Speaking to The Indian filed by Bhopal Gas Peedit Central Chronicle / Bhopal Express, Bhargava said that Mahila Udyog Sangathan 10/04/07 the minutes of the Task Force (BGPMUS) holding that the meeting did not contain all the 1989 settlement with the US- MP task force ignores suggestions of the TSC. “The based Union Carbide Task Force had omitted parts Corporation (UCC) and the advice on Bhopal gas of the TSC report that strongly Central Government was leak waste suggested that the waste be arrived at with the intervention shipped back to Dow of a five-judge constitution APURVA Chemicals for disposal in US,” Bench headed by then Chief VADODARA, MAY 2: The said Bhargava from Justice of India (CJI) R S decision to dispose the 1984 Hyderabad. Pathak and a two-judge Bench Bhopal Gas Tragedy waste in Documents in the cannot reopen and review the Ankleshwar in Gujarat has possession of The Indian judgement of a larger Bench. been contentious from the start. Express prove that the Task Over 3,000 residents of Bhopal were killed due to the 19

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster leakage of poisonous gas from minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, Plan to burn Carbide's the UCC premises in said on demands to blacklist December 1984, and thousand the company. He said he was waste opposed others were seriously affected aware of the reports. The and hunderds of the victims incident reportedly took place Bhopal, May 6: Four became disabled for life. between 1996 and 2001. organisations working among Central Chronicle / Bhopal Preliminary inquiries the survivors of the 1984 Union 05/05/07 revealed that a senior officer of Carbide gas disaster have the Central Insecticides Board strongly objected the Madhya Pradesh Government's plan to Govt assures action (CIB) and some officers of the state government were dispose toxic waste of Union against Dow involved, he said. "We have Carbide Factory in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Chemicals, if guilty already ordered a CBI inquiry The organisations into this." demanded that the NEW DELHI, May 4: The The case pertains to three recommendations of a government today assured that molecular products developed technical committee -- it would take action against by Dow ChemicaIs which the comprising government and Dow Chemicals, the company allegedly approved ` non-government scientists – multinational company which by bribing 'some officials. formed by the Supreme Court took over the controversial "We asked them (the in this regard be implemented. Union Carbide in 2001, if the company) about `the truth. Bhopal Group For Information company is found guilty with They told us `we bribed one and Action spokesperson respect to reports' that it bribed officer of Central Insecticides Satinath Sarangi told reporters Indian officials to get its Board who retired: in 2001 and products registered. some pesticides control, here that the government had Ms Brinda Karat of the: inspectors of the state, Mr. come out with a plan to dispose Communist Party 'of India- Pawar said and added that the about 386 tonne toxic waste by Marxism alleged in the Rajya government had also written to burying it in Indore and burning Sabha that these products are the certification committee to it Gujarat's Ankleshwar. banned in the United States examine the quality of these He said the technical and other developed countries chemicals. If these did not fit, committee had clearly stated due to adverse effect on the standards, the licenses the DOW Chemicals should be children, and demanded would be cancel led, he said pressurised to take the toxic blacklisting of the company. and added the repo rt was waste to the US where it could The issue was raised by expected it about two months. be disposed safely. He pointed out that several organisations BJP MP S S Ahluwalia who Amnesty has said that in a 8 had made it clear in their cited reports of United States November 2006 letter to the survey that toxic waste from Securities Exchange Indian ambassador to the Union Carbide factory premises Commission (SEC) about United States, Ronen Sen, was causing various diseases. confessions by Dow Chemicals Dow emphasised its interest in Sarangi said the government rggazding it haying bribed eliminating the Bhopal wanted to dispose the waste in Indian officials some years ago impediment to investement in an unscientific manner. The for securing approval of its India. waste proposed to be disposed products. The letter requested, that was less than one percent of The MP also queried the the government withdraw its the toxic substance. He the minister, about the Multi - application for a financial most important task before the National Company allegedly deposit against remediation government was to protect the pressuring the government to costa (for Bhopal cleanup). get rid of , its financial liability In a case in Madhya Pradesh toxic waste from rains before for clean, up of the Bhopal toxic High Court regarding cleanup the start of monsoon season so waste. According to Amnesty of the toxic abandoned factory that groundwater does not get International, more than 22,000 site, the Indian government has polluted. people have died- and over filed a brief asking for a $22 Sarangi alleged that the 100,000 continue to suffer as a million, deposit toward cleanup state government had no result of the 1984 disaster in costs. scheme to dispose of which about 40 tons of deadly Amnesty also cited a thousands of tonne of toxic methyl isocynate (MIC) gas second letter, dated 2B waste and cleaning polluted was released from the Union November 2006, from Indian land and water. Carbide plant on 3 December industrialist Ratan Tata to the Citing a report by Dr Shults, advisor of a joint project 1984. Planning Commission, between Indian and Germany, "After investigations, action supporting the request. he said burning of toxic waste will be taken against the Statesman/Delhi/05/05/07 in Ankleshwar would release company," the agriculture dioxygen and other chemicals 20

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster polluting the environment and Nadu to the USA in 2003," she Chemicals carry the hazardous badly affecting the health of said. waste from Bhopal to the USA about one lakh people. The other three or elsewhere with facilities for He said the Gujarat Pollution organisations present were the safe disposal. Control Board had recently Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila The organizations have also declared Ankleshwar as Purush Sangharsh Morcha accused the state government pollution-affected. He said the (BGPMPSM), Bhopal ki of having no scientific plans to four organisations—Bhopal Aawaaz (BKA) and the Bhopal deal with the thousands of Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Group for Information and tonnes of toxic waste and Karmachari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Action (BGIA). contaminated soil and ground Peedit Mahila Purush The Bhopal gas tragedy, the water. Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal world's worst man-made Citing the report of Dr Group for Information and industrial disaster that killed Eckart Schultes, consultant in Action and Bhopal Ki Awaz-- thousands instantaneously and an Indo-German collaboration had decided not allow the maimed several thousands for project, the organizations government dispose the toxic life, occurred on Dec 2-3, 1984, pointed out that the incineration waster in Ankleshwar and when more than 40 tonnes of of the hazardous waste in Indore. lethal Methyl Iso-Cyanate and Ankleshwar would emit Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ other toxic gases spewed out of mercury and chemical 07/05/07 Union Carbide's pesticide plant. pollutants including dioxin and "The pesticide factory premises toxic dust causing irreparable A toxic burden are still believed to be having damage to the environment over 8,000 tonnes of chemical and to the health of over

waste that was recklessly 100,000 people of Ankleshwar. The Bhopal gas victims are dumped below and above the They said that the Gujarat against the shifting of toxic ground in and around the Pollution Control Board has just wastes to other states factory," alleged Satinath last year categorised

Sanjay Sharma / Bhopal Sarangi of BGIA. Ankleshwar as an More than 10 studies by "environmental hotspot." THE Survivors of the 1984 government and non- They also presented a Bhopal gas tragedy have declared that they would not government scientific agencies critique of the Treatment have pointed out the presence Storage and Disposal Facility allow any portion of Union of toxic chemicals in the ground [TSDF] or Landfill, being built in Carbide's hazardous chemical waste, believed to be over water that could cause cancer Pithampur near Indore. The 8,000 tonnes, to be taken out of and birth defects. appraisal by Joseph Jackson a the factory premises for The Bhopal survivors' senior consultant with 6 years incineration or as landfill as it organisations hold the Dow industry specific highly relevant would cause irreparable harm Chemical Company, that took experience of contaminated to the environment and the over Union Carbide in 2001, land consultation in Britain, people. The waste is to be sent liable for the toxic legacy and points out that the landfill being either to Ankleshwar in Gujarat are demanding money to clean built on top of a hill at for incineration or for land filling up the place and compensation Pithampur is a very unstable at Pithampur in the state. for injuries as per the "polluter location and could well "Our sufferings have made pays" principle. collapse. Condemning the Madhya The report, they said, also us resolve that we cannot let other people anywhere suffer Pradesh government's plans points out the absence of for disposal of 386 tonnes of baseline information on ground like us. We will not allow Union Carbide's hazardous water quality and the Bhopal-like disasters in Ankleshwar and Pithampur and waste in Ankleshwar, Gujarat, inadequate monitoring of the and Pithampur near Indore, the impact of the landfill on the will fight every inch to ensure leaders of the organisations local environment. The that the waste is not transported for unsafe demanded that the organizations pointed out that recommendation of the the Pithampur TSDF has been disposal," Rashida Bee, Technical Sub -Committee (of made by the same company president of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery the Task Force) set up by the Ramky that caused a toxic high court on this matter be nightmare in June 2005 during Karmachari Sangh implemented. the packaging of toxic waste in (BGPMSKS), told a press conference. The Technical Sub- the Union Carbide factory. "Dow Chemical (which now Committee comprising Sahara Time/ Delhi/ 20/05/07 owns Union Carbide) must government and non- carry this waste to the USA like government scientists has Unilever carried the mercury recommended that the waste from Kodaikanal in Tamil government must make Dow 21

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Firm to burn toxic from the world's worst industrial tonnes of toxic gas had leaked disaster that occurred in Bhopal from the Union Carbide factory waste from Bhopal in 1984, the Madhya Pradesh then owned by Union Carbide gas tragedy Government has decided to Limited. This fatal MIC gas had shift the hazardous waste lying claimed over 3,800 people. R.K. MISRA at the Union Carbide factory to Since then, thousands more Ahmedabad, May 29: An Indian Gujarat. A decision in this have died from exposure- firm plans to burn toxic waste connection has been taken for related sicknesses, while lakhs from the Bhopal disaster, the incinerating the toxic waste at of survivors are still facing ill world’s worst industrial the Ankleshwar-based effects of the lethal gas. The accident, despite incinerator of Bharuch Environ gas victims had been environmentalists’ objections. Infrastructure Limited (BEIL). demanding that the toxic The firm, Bharuch Environ The State Government in wastes accumulated at the Infrastructure Ltd., said burning this regard has finalised that factory be cleaned up. the waste poses no threat. "We the toxic waste would be Rachna further said, "Our have the best waste disposal shifted to Ankleshwar but for main contention is why a facility and it is child’s play for the final dates or the complete national company has been us, " Rajju Shroff, Beil’s schedule the Government is given contract for disposing of chairman, said on Tuesday. waiting for High Court the toxic waste, while the Dow The 1984 leak of methyl directives. Chemical (earlier Union isocyanate gas from a Bhopal The recent statement by Carbide) was responsible for pesticide plant run by a BEIL that the company was the gas tragedy. The Dow subsidiary of the US chemical ready to burn the toxic waste Chemical should be called for company Union Carbide killed without any problem in July this disposing of the hazardous at least 10,000 people and year, has raised many waste." She claimed that the affected about 550,000 others. eyebrows. Two days ago, BEIL petition was scheduled to be Survivors have since been chairman Ashok Punjwani told heard in the High Court on May fighting to get the site cleaned mediapersons in Ahmedabad, 25, but the Dow Chemical's up, but say their efforts were "Disposing the controversial advocate did not turn up. slowed when union carbide Union Carbide waste is child's The Pioneer/ Delhi/ 01/ 06/ 07 was taken over by Michigan- play for us. It will be burnt in based Dow Chemical Co. in incinerators for eight days at a Petition against 2001, seven years after Union very high temperature." Carbide sold its interest in the Besides, the Gujarat-bas ed dumping of Bhopal Bhopal plant.Dow has environmentalists the gas waste at Ankleshwar maintained that it is not survivors from Bhopal have responsible for cleaning up the also asked the State VADODARA, JUNE 21: The site, and the plant is now under Government not to shift the Madhya Pradesh High Court the control of India’s Madhya problem from one place to today admitted an Ankleshwar - Pradesh, which has agreed to another. based activist’s application pay Beil $220,000 to dispose Rachna Dhingra of Group which seeks to reverse the off the waste. for Information and Action while decision to dispose the Punjwani said 350 tons of talking to The Pioneer alleged chemical waste left over from waste will be transported from that in Bhopal, the toxic waste the Bhopal Gas Tragedy at Bhopal to Ankleshwar, an had affected all the ground Ankleshwar in Bharuch District. industrial area in the western water in the vicinity. Even the The court also set August 8 as state of Gujarat, by July. It will under ground water had been the date for the hearing when then be burned at high affected thereby causing the activist can present his temperatures over the course several health hazards to the case. of a week. Environmentalists people, she added. The application cites objected to disposing of the She further claimed that by excerpts from the Gujarat waste in Ankleshwar, and said shifting the toxic waste to Pollution Control Board (GPCB) Beil was not up to the task. Gujarat, the people living in the report of June 2006, which (AP) surroundings of the incinerator maintains that Ankleshwar is a Asian Age/ Delhi/ 30/05/07 would be exposed to several hotspot in terms of pollution. health hazards. "We have also Activist Zia Pathan, who filed Bhopal to ship filed a petition in the Jabalpur the intervention application at Carbide waste to High Court seeking intervention the Jabalpur court said, “We for not allowing the waste to be knew the decision would not be Bharuch disposed in Gujarat, but that is reversed immediately, but they yet to be heard," she added. have allowed me to present my In order to solve the problem of On the intervening night of case.” disposing the waste generated December 2 and 3, 1984,

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster According to Pathan, the GPCB body of the Gujarat incinerator. However, the report clearly mentions government, in a report five director of BEIL, Ashok Ankleshwar as a hotspot, years ago, dubbed Ankleshwar Panjwani, rubbished all particularly because of the a "toxic hotspot" as its air allegations and claimed that the presence of a large number of pollution "was not monitored plant had state -of-the-art chemical industries. “Most of regularly". Now the danger technology created as per the the people in Ankleshwar as level is set to rise, fear guidelines of the Central well as the municipality are environmentalists. The Madhya Pollution Control Board. "Ours against this decision as it would Pradesh government is taking is the best place in the country only worsen the state of an 346 metric tonnes of toxic to incinerate the waste," already polluted town,” said waste from the Bhopal gas claimed Rajjubhai Patel, Pathan. He added that tragedy-which killed over 3,800 chairman of United Phosphorus awareness among citizens people and affected over half a Limited, a major equity there about the dangers was million on December 3,1984 -to stakeholder in BEIL. only increasing. be disposed of at Bharuch Dr P.N. Parmeshwaran Vadodara-based Enviro Infrastructure Limited Moothathu, senior general environmental NGO (BEIL) in Ankleshwar. manager (environment) of UPL, Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti One Alok Pratap Singh had said there would not be any air (PSS) is also working closely filed a petition in the Madhya pollution. Sanjiv Tyagi, with Pathan. PSS front man Pradesh High Court in 2004, mem¬ber (secretary) of Gujarat Rohit Prajapati said that air demanding that the waste be Pollution Control Board-which samples that he had taken disposed o£ The High Court has given a no objection earlier suggested that the had set up a task force and certificate for one-time disposal presence of cancerous recommended that the wastes of the toxic waste-did not rule chemicals were at levels higher be taken to BEIL. The wastes out air pollution, but said it was than international standards. contain traces of semi- within "permissible standards". “We hope to get a favourable processed pesticides, naphthol, The Madhya Pradesh decision from the court, excavated wastes and reactor government will pay Rs 90 lakh meanwhile, there might even residues. The decision has to BEIL for the job. The be more demonstrations in sparked off environmental and company said the process Ankleshwar by the people,” he health concerns. would take only a few days and said. Dr Ranjan Pasricha, a that the waste would be Indian Express/ Delhi/ neuro-physician in Ankleshwar, brought in a covered vehicle. 22/ 06/ 07 said: "I have been seeing Environmentalists are not ready several cases of cerebral to buy these arguments. They Travelling graveyard tuberculosis and these can be are against the very move to directly and indirectly linked to dispose of the waste in India. People resist move to dispose pollution. Pollution weakens Said Madhumita Dutta of of Bhopal gas tragedy's toxic lungs and other body parts." He International Campaign for wastes in Gujarat is currently treating a 12-year - Justice in Bhopal: "Survivors of old girl. the Bhopal tragedy want the Nandini Oza/ANKLESHWAR Pollution has already killed waste to be sent to the US, and A drive down National Highway natural water resources, Dow Chemicals, which took 8 linking Vadodara and Mumbai leaving the farmers in trouble. over the Union Carbide "In the past, a monitoring Company, to pay for it" They exposes one to the gravity of pollution in and around committee of the Supreme have, in fact, sought an Court had taken note of the intervention in the ongoing Ankleshwar, one of the main pollution and said that the case. chemical industrial estates in Gujarat. More than one lakh ineffective practices of "Why should the people of entrepreneurs and laxity of Ankleshwar or any part of India people live in Ankleshwar, authorities in implementing suffer?" asked Ziya Pathan, a Panoli and .Jhagadia industrial estates, inhaling life- environmental regulations had lawyer in Ankleshwar. The exhausted the groundwater increasing pollution has already threatening gases. supplies," says Rohit Prajapati made youngsters and children Ismail Bhaiyat, 73, a resident of neighbouring of Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, prone to diseases like a Vadodara-based group of bronchitis. (None of the doctors Sanjali, struggles to breathe environmentalists. say it on record.) Prajapati and the very mention of pollution makes him hysterical. The Samiti has raised pointed out that the His wife, too, is ailing and weak doubts about the incinerating government had not carried out and their home is stacked with capacity of BEIL, quoting a a comprehensive health check- medical reports. German technical cooperation up of residents. Gujarat Health The Gujarat Ecology study that highlighted several Minister Ashok Bhatt Commission, an autonomous shortcomings in the BEIL disagreed, and claimed that the 23

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster workers were covered under The local people are hoping the should liability come on it from Employees' State Insurance day never comes at all. the Bhopal case. Scheme and health camps The Week 17/06/07 This is where, it appears, were conducted. government machinery got Hard to believe, considering Govt tries to cleanse whirring to allay Dow’s fears by the plight of the residents of the seeking to reach an out-of- region. Mohammad Phaiyad, Dow investment of court settlement and thus pave sarpanch of Kharod village Bhopal stain the way for the investment in near Ankleshwar, said, "People the petrochemicals hub. suffer from skin diseases and Nitin Sethi | TNN Documents acquired through breathing problems. The eyes New Delhi: In a bid to clear an RTI application show a burn. The troubles increased in Dow Chemicals, the American series of rapid-fire moves. the last decade. How can we giant that took over Union [email protected] permit more wastes to be Carbide in 2001, of civil If settled out of court, Dow brought in?" People also suffer liabilities in the Bhopal gas won’t have any liability from scabies, a skin disease, tragedy — said to be the worst New Delhi: Documents in TOI’s said Dr Anwar Kanuga. "This is industrial disaster in the world possession show that an offer because of water pollution — the Centre is making a by Ratan Tata, who heads the caused by the industrial wastes concerted effort for an out-of- Indo-US business council, to dumped into wells," he says. court settlement with it. take up ‘remediation’ — in plain Sixty-year-old Balu Sita The victims of the tragedy words, cleaning up — of the Vasava's family of seven was may find this hard to believe, Union Carbide plant site has orphaned when he succumbed but documents with TOI show been picked up by the PMO to tuberculosis a fortnight ago. that the PMO, backed by and top ministries to find a way "He was a healthy man. But in finance and industry ministers out for Dow. the last six years, he had and the vice chairman of the The problem with this, say developed breathing Planning Commission are activists, is that once settled problems," said Balu's widow, trying to find ways to clear Dow out of court, Dow will no longer Chanchalben. One of his Chemicals of any legal liability, be responsible for daughters is suffering from so that the company agrees to compensating for the water tuberculosis. invest in India. contamination. In other words, Tuberculosis, though, is not Key issues of the 1984 while the site might be cleaned a direct consequence of disaster remain unresolved. up with the help of Tata and pollution. It is common While direct victims of the other industrialists, the indirect knowledge that any type of poisonous gas leak have been victims of Carbide’s cavalier pollution affects the lungs and compensated, toxic waste from factory management might be weakens the immune system, the plant in a 7-hectare area is left high and dry. What do the leaving the person susceptible said to have contaminated documents show? They consist to various diseases. Dr A.K. Bhopal’s ground water. of several notes generated by Patel, a surgeon in Ankleshwar, While the case is going on the PMO, finance and industry said smoking is another factor, at the Jabalpur bench of the ministers, the Planning but admitted that pollution Madhya Pradesh HC, Union Commission and the Cabinet hadtobe controlled to improve Carbide was bought over by secretary. health and environmental Dow. With that, it would have Commerce and industry conditions. taken over Carbide’s civil minister Kamal Nath wrote to Although the 200-plus liability. In the Jabalpur court the PMO in February 2007, industries in the region are case it is named as one of the ‘‘While I would not like to supposed to release their respondents and the chemicals comment on whether Dow treated effluents into a 44-km and fertiliser ministry has raised Chemicals has a legal pipeline project of Bharuch a demand of Rs 100 crore from responsibility or not, as it is a Eco-Aqua Infrastructure Dow to clean up the matter for courts to decide, with Limited, a sister concern of contaminated factory site in a view to sending an BEIL, for pumping them 9.4km Bhopal. appropriate signal to Dow into the sea, this does not Faced with this, as well as Chemicals, which is exploring happen. the prospect of higher demands investing substantially in India, I With the heari ng still on, it is if the court holds it responsible would urge that a group under uncertain when the Bhopal for the ground water the chairmanship of the wastes would reach contamination, Dow first offered Cabinet Secretary be formed to Ankleshwar. Said Panjwani; "It in 2005 to invest in a giant look into the matter in a holistic may take a week, or maybe petrochemicals hub, covering manner.’’ He added: ‘‘In a even six months. The decision 250 sq km, and then showed its similar manner as was done itself took 23 years." reluctance to do so, citing the with respect to the Enron potential risk to its investment

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Corporation with respect to Tata and including executives and ministries of commerce Dabhol Power Corporation.’’ from the private sector.’’ and finance are all involved in In the Dabhol case, an Dow, in the meanwhile, was plans that would allow the Dow outof-court settlement was in touch with top officials in Chemical Company to walk reached with its now defunct PMO, in which they got the away with its liabilities in the promoter, Enron. advice to consult top lawyer case. Deputy chairman of and Congress spokesman Even a top industrialist has Planning Commission Montek Abhishek Manu Singhvi. been involved in discussions Singh Ahluwalia wrote to the Documents show the legal with the PMO, deputy chairman PM, finance ministe r P advice given by Singhvi saying of the Planning Commission Chidambaram and Kamal Nath that Dow could not be held and other ministries to arrive at in December 2006: ‘‘Ministry of responsible for the disaster and a settlement with Dow Industry has granted foreign also not be held liable for any Chemical, which now owns collaboration approval for a alleged contamination and Union Carbide Corporation. technical collaboration between consequent cleaning up of the Asian Age / Delhi/ 01/07/07 Dow and Reliance. This was Bhopal site. This advice forms greatly appreciated as a signal part of the PMO file. UC water that Dow was not blacklisted. When contacted on the ‘‘However, they have sought advice given, Singhvi said, ‘‘I contamination area a statement from GoI in the have been appearing as a not identified court clarifying that GoI does senior counsel in this case for not regard Dow as legally over 18 months. I was engaged The Bhopal Gas Peedit responsible for liabilities of by a leading solicitor firm. I am Sangharsh Sehyog Samiti Union Carbide. Similarly Shri not in any manner engaged in today opppsed the Union Ratan Tata has written to the any matter of the case except Government's decision for out FM suggesting that we should appearing at the Jabalpur High of court settlement with USA launch an industry led intiative. Court case and advising Dow based Dow Chemicals. Samiti Dow Chemicals indicated that on various legal aspects coordinator Sadhna Karnik they would be willing to involved in those proceedings. I demanded that the Central contribute to such an effort am not aware of anything else.’’ Government should support the voluntarily, but not under a Eventually, in April 2007, Samitis' application in the cloud of legal liability.’’ the cabinet secretary put up a Supreme Court for full Ahluwalia goes on to advise: note that says: ‘‘It stands to compensation to the gas ‘‘Cabinet secretary should be reason that instead of victims. asked to try and resolve the continuing to agitate these Staging protest before the issue in an inter -ministerial issues (Dow’s legal liability) in Standing Committee of the meeting including Ratan Tata court for a protracted period, Parliament, Karnik demanded or his representative.’’ due consideration should be that gas effected be extended Earlier, Tata wrote to given to the prospect of settling BPIL card facilities, Union Ahluwalia in November 2006: these issues appropriately. An Carbide affected contaminated ‘‘Dow has mentioned in their important aim is to remove water area be identified anal letter that it is critical for them uncertainties and pave the way compensation be raised five to have the ministry of for promoting investments in times. She argued that the chemicals and fertilisers the sector.’’ government had submitted withdraw their application orf a It adds that instead of before the court of law that 3 financial deposit by Dow leavi ng the matter to be settled lakh people were affected, but against remediation costs, as by the court, the government the compensation has been that application implies that the should reconstitute the existing distributed' among 15 people. Government of India views group of ministers (overseeing ICMR has not been able to Dow as liable in the Bhopal the work at Bhopal site) with an ensure rehabilitation of the Gas Disaster case. This is appropriate mandate. critically affected gas victims obviously a key aspect and I Times of India/ Delhi/ even after more than 20 years want your assessment as to 30/06/07 of the catastrophe. She whether it is possible.’’ informed that several He also wrote to Dow seeks Bhopal committees have been formed Chidambaram. The finance since the. UC accident but to minister concurred with Tata solution no avail as they have visited while writing in December 2006 Bhopal but have not done to PMO: ‘‘I think we should SONAL KELLOGG anything for victim welfare. The accept this offer and constitute Documents obtained from the recommendations of the a Site Remediation Trust under Prime Minister's Office by committee formed by the the chairmanship of Shri Ratan Bhopal gas tragedy survivors' Chemical Fertilizer Ministery on organisations reveal that the recommendations of the Prime PMO, Planning Commission 25

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Minister, are gathering dust in Bharuch Environ Infrastructure got diluted now. So it can be the Central and State Limited (BEIL) in Gujarat for managed safely at Ankleshwar" Government offices. incineration. Another 40 tonnes he says. She said that 16 -17 Bastis will be disposed in a landfill in Not everybody is buying this have been selected on random Pithampur in Indore. These are claim. Groups representing the basis that are considered 6.9 and 0.8 per cent of the total survivors of the Bhopal tragedy infected by UC MIC waste. and activists in Gujarat contaminated water. These The Bhopal Gas Tragedy question the incinerator's ability areas could not be identified till Relief and Rehabilitation to control pollution. They say date and no scientific study or Department (BGTRRD) is incineration of the toxic waste survey has been done. She awaiting clearance of the will pollute the area the way demanded that the unjustified complete schedule of the Union Carbide did, triggering out of court agreement disposal procedure from the another tragedy. That a between the Government of high court. "In anticipation, all national company has India and Dow Chemicals preparations to transport the undertaken the disposal goes should be stopped immediately toxic chemical waste have against the 'polluter pays and any decision initiated by been started," says Ajit Kesri, principle', they say. GoI should be taken with UC BGTRD secretary. Bhopal Group of Information victims welfare and their total The Madhya Pradesh and Action, an NGO, has filed a rehabilitation in mind. Pollution Control Board petition in the high court Centre Chronicle / Bhopal (MPPCB), part of the task force seeking a ban on the disposal. 07/07/07 set up by the high court in 2005 It has also submitted a report to give technical expertise for comparing the Treatment Disposing of Carbide the clean-up, has said it will not Storage Disposal Facility monitor the disposal. The (TSDF) in BIEL and with the waste Gujarat Pollution Control Board one in Biebesheim, Germany. (GPCB) has backed it, The report was prepared by The waste, says the report, will maintaining that the site is fully Eckart Schultes, hazardous be manually emptied and re- equipped to handle the waste. waste management expert in packaged in plastic bags. This "Having assessed the facilities Karnataka. involves high health and safety of BEIL, we have approved The report says the small risks - Nandita Chibber their plan," says GPCB's facility at Ankleshwar can The controversial move by regional officer at Bharuch. The cause fluctuations in the Madhya Pradesh chairman of MPPCB, SP temperature, causing mercury government to incinerate some Gautam, agrees: "The emissions. Emissions of waste from the Union Carbide incinerator is of international chemical pollutants and acidic factory in Bhopal has met with standards and one of the best gases at the facility are likely to stiff opposition. Civil society in the country regardless of be several times higher than groups have strongly criticised what NGOs say." MPPCB, what many internationally the plan to take the waste to an according to Gautam, will give available incineration incinerator in Gujarat. They say its consent for transporting the technologies generate; and the incinerator at Ankleshwar is toxic waste and also monitor land filling of dust and ashes badly equipped and the move the procedure once BGTRRD from the incinerator without will merely shift the health completes tenders for the stabilisation can contaminate hazards and in no way help transport vehicles. local environment with toxic dispose the toxic chemical In Ahmedabad, heavy metals, salts and waste. representatives of BEIL said inorganic compounds. All these Moreover, the move will rid the company runs a worldclass can cause long lasting health Dow Chemicals-responsible for waste treatment plant, which and environmental problems to the waste's disposal-of the has adequate facilities for 100,000 people in the area. responsibility, say the groups. transport, storage and disposal The waste, says the report, will They moved the High Court of of any kind of hazardous solid be manually emptied and re- Madhya Pradesh against the waste. Former Narmada packaged in plastic bags. This plan, but the court declined to development minister involves high health and safety interfere into the matter. Jaynarayan Vyas backs BEIL, risks and the facility is The move comes under the saying the Bhopal toxic waste inexperienced to handle this directives of the high court. The can safely be managed at since it has been operational court has ordered the state and Ankleshwar without any harm for only two years. the Centre to jointly bear the to the local environment. "What According to the report, the cost of Rs 2 crore for the we are bringing is solid waste landfill at Pithampur is unsafely disposal. Of the 5,000 tonnes and not any liquid. The waste located on a hill and rainwater waste stored at a warehouse in has been lying there for over can get into it. It has the factory, 345 metric tones two decades and must have inadequate monitoring of will reach Ankleshwar-based 26

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster leachates. According to "Government organisations Peedit Mahila Stationary Satinath Sarangi of have caused delay and Karmachari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Sambhavna Trust, an advocacy confusion. No attempt has Peedit Mahila Purush Sangarsh group, a small amount of toxic been made to compare studies Morcha and Bhopal Group for material disposed inefficiently on other hazardous wastes with Information and Action, that led can cause environmental the Carbide factory waste," the agitation said they had problems at both the sites. says Sarangi. documents from the Prime In Gujarat, residents have Down to Earth Feature Minister’s Office to show that organised protest rallies under Centre Chronicle / Bhopal the United Progressive Alliance Ankleshwar Bachao Samiti. Zia 11/07/07 Government was working on a Pathan, a resident, says: "We secret deal with Dow Chemical have warned the authorities. If Bhopal gas victims on the matter of its liabilities in the waste is brought here for Bhopal. disposal, we would launch an stage rally The Hindu/ Delhi/ 19/07/07 agitation," adding, "So far they have not said when they would Seeking compensation: Bhopal 123 IMPACT CABINET bring the waste." gas tragedy victims staging a Environmentalist Rohit protest on Wednesday. ACTS Prajapati says the Central US seeks clarity on Dow Pollution Control Board (CPCB) BHOPAL: A large number of Chem’s Bhopal trouble in December 2006 asked G P victims of the Bhopal gas C B to assess the facilities at tragedy, mainly local residents, G Ganapathy Subramaniam the Ankleshwar plant, asking it staged a protest demonstration & Gireesh Chandra Prasad to conduct an exhaustive study near the abandoned Union THE Cabinet is all set to take a of the region's capacity for Carbide factory here on final view on the legal liability of handling pollutants. "The Wednesday. US giant Dow Chemicals in the Bharuch region of Gujarat has They were demanding that 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, one been under intense pressure the American multinational Dow of the worst industrial disasters due to the high air and water Chemical that owns Union in the world. The Trade and pollution potential on account of Carbide pay for the Economic Relations Committee the large number of chemical environmental and health (TERC) headed by Prime industries...," CPCB said. damage caused due to Minister Manmohan Singh has However, GPCB secretary reckless dumping of hazardous decided that the Cabinet should Sanjeev Tyagi says it needs chemical wastes on the factory consider the contentious issue time to carry out the directive premises. The protesters that’s threatening to hamper since it has to arrange for the opposed the Madhya Pradesh economic ties with the US. The resources. Government’s plans to send a government is also trying to This flies in the face of the small part of the hazardous resolve a dispute between US board's claim that Bharuch can waste for incineration at company McDermott handle the waste. NGOs say Ankleshwar in Gujarat and to International and Kolkata- there are alternatives. They Pithampur near Indore for based Burn Standard ahead of have come up with a plan of disposal in a landfill. concluding the 123 agreement action to deal with the issue. They demanded that the with the US for nuclear co- Instead of taking toxic waste to Centre make Dow Chemical operation. Ankleshwar and Pithampur, the shift the toxic waste from While negotiating the government should invest the Bhopal to the U.S. for final nuclear pact, the US side fund to make provisions for disposal in the same manner emphasised that the stopping toxic wastes seeping as Unilever was made to shift uncertainty faced by Dow — into ground during monsoon, mercury waste from its factory which plans to invest $1 billion the activists say. They also in Kodaikanal in 2003. in India—was a major irritant demand Dow Chemicals take The residents said that that needs to be tackled as a back the waste to the US, like owing to the current rain, priority. With the ties with the Unilever did-by shipping the contaminated water from the US expected to hit a new high toxic waste it made in factory flowed into their after the deal, New Delhi wants Kodaikanal. The waste can be localities and the State major disputes related to US safely disposed in the US, Government did nothing to stop corporations resolved without which has advanced it. They said the 386 tonnes of delay. technology. The company has waste that the Government TERC has directed the not yet dealt with the total wished to dispose of through Department of Chemicals & waste at the factory and no incineration was less than 5 per Petrochemicals to consult the proper assessment of it has cent of the toxic waste that law ministry and draft a note on been done by any agency, they required safe disposal. the legal liability of Dow say. The leaders of three Chemicals so that the Cabinet organisations, Bhopal Gas could take a decision soon. 27

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Chemicals ministry preparing $9.3 billion. The Bhopal unit of Madhya Pradesh gas relief note Union Carbide remains shut minister Babu Lal Gaur came in CHEMICALS and fertilisers since the 1984 tragedy. for special mention for a ministry officials said they are Economic Times / Delhi/ “lifetime spent in betraying finalising their opinion by taking 27/ 07/ 07 Bhopal victims”. Besides, legal advice and keeping in Indian Ambassador to US mind the perception of NGOs Bhopal survivors Ronen Sen was also presented and social organisations. The a Mir Zafar Award. note will be ready soon, said an ‘honour’ Manmohan, The Mir Zafar “Best official. Ambani environmental talk the talk In the case of a commercial award” was given to Ashok dispute between Burn Standard Vibha Sharma Punjwani, director of Bharuch Company and McDermott It was an award ceremony with Enviro Infrastructure Limited, International, the ministry of a difference. The “Dalal Gujarat. heavy industries has been Foundation”, formed just The “Birds of a feather asked to expedite a decision. around 15 days ago by Bhopal award 2007” went to Mukesh The ministry has already survivors’ organisations, Ambani, “who recently circulated a note for the yesterday presented “Mir Zafar announced plans to acquire consideration of CCEA to take awards for treachery” to top Union Carbide technology for a final call on the disputes politicians and bureaucrats of his new plastic factories in associated with McDermott the country in a dramatised Gujarat.” B. K. Chaturvedi won International. version, peppered with satire. the Mir Zafar “Bureaucrat for The external affairs ministry The spoof awards were Business Award 2007”. highlighted the disputes related given to Prime Minister Ratan Tata, played by to Dow Chemicals and Mc - Manmohan Singh, finance activist Satinath Sarangi, Dermott International during a minister P. Chidambaram, vice- received the award from a presentation to the TERC chairman planning commission Singur resident to highlight his earlier this month, highly- Montek Singh Ahluwalia and offer to lead an effort to mop up placed government sources industrialists Ratan Tata and Union Carbide’s toxic wastes said. The meeting was Mukesh Ambani, who and facilitate Dow’s attended by finance minister P according to Bhopal survivors investments in India. Chidambaram, commerce and were being “felicitated for their Bhopal survivors said the industry minister Kamal Nath efforts to bury Dow Chemical’s ministry of chemicals filed an and Planning Commission liabilities in Bhopal tragedy application seeking Rs 100 deputy chairperson Montek cases and clear the way for crore from Dow Chemical. Singh Ahluwalia. A number of Dow and Carbide to freely do However, files unearthed from senior bureaucrats were also business in India”. Activists the PMO using the RTI Act present, the sources said. wearing respective masks revealed that most of the Earlier, Tata Group chief received the awards. “award-winners” were strongly Ratan Tata, in his capacity as Mir Zafar had betrayed his pushing to exempt Dow. Investment Commission troops and cut a deal with the Survivors added that a note by chairman, has proposed British East India Company. the cabinet secretary on April 6 cleaning up of the Bhopal Today’s event marked the 250 said given the scope for future Union Carbide site through a anniversary of the Battle of investments in the settlement plan. In view of the Plassey, where Mir Zafar petrochemical sector, Dow’s litigation over the issue, the betrayed his troops and his act Bhopal liabilities should be government did not go ahead could be likened to the present resolved out of court. with the proposal. government’s “kowtowing” to The Mir Zafar Awards will Leak of poisonous gas from US corporations. be now be an annual affair. the Union Carbide factory in `“The Indian government is This year’s ceremony was 1984 killed 4,000 people indulging in activities that officiated by theatre personality immediately and believed to favour the elite and exacted a Suhasini Mulay who spoke for have caused 20,000 deaths. A heavy toll on lives of common the Dalal Foundation. settlement over compensation citizens,” they said. She said: “We at Dalal was arrived at after a The list of award -winners Foundation believe that protracted legal battle. included commerce minister freedom is okay as long as it is However, a dispute over Kamal Nath, industrialist Ashok recognised and respected that clearing the site of toxicity Punjwani, Congress the freedom to exploit natural persists. In 1994, Union spokesperson Abhishek and human resources for profit Carbide sold its stake in its Singhvi and senior bureaucrats generation takes precedence Indian company to Kolkata- like principal secretary T.K.A. over all other freedoms.” based McLeod Russel. In 2001, Nair and former cabinet Tribune / Delhi/ 13/ 08/ 07 Dow bought Union Carbide for secretary B.K. Chaturvedi. 28

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Bhopal waste material New Delhi: As government have to withdraw the demand moves fast to help Dow and therefore weaken the case to be sent to Chemicals invest in India, a against Dow in the courts as Ankleshwar sharp difference of opinion has well. risen between the ministries of The notes from the two MUSLIM GHOGHAWALA law and chemicals on whether ministries come against the VAPI the chemicals giant could be backdrop of hectic lobbying by T HE con troversy over the left held legally liable for the 1984 several UPA ministries as well over waste material in the, Bhopal gas tragedy clean-up. as the the Planning Bhopal gas disaster is finally The chemicals ministry had Commission for clearing the over as Jabalpur High Court earlier indirectly held Dow way for Dow’s investments in has rejected the petition made responsible for the tragedy by India.Dow has threatened that by two persons from Gujarat demanding it to pay an it would not be able to make over its removal. The waste advance for clean-up of the any new investments in India material is now all set to be contaminated site while courts as long as the legal liability sent to Ankleshwar at Baruch adjudicate on the matter. But existed in the form of a demand Environment Infrastructure Ltd the law ministry is of the from the chemicals and (BELL) for decimation. opinion that it would depend fertilisers ministry. According to information, upon the deal between Dow Business leader Ratan Tata, two persons, Rohit Prajapati Chemicals and Union Carbide head of the Indo-US Business and Pathan, from Gujarat had at the time the latter sold itself Council, too had approached filed a petition in the Jabalpur to Dow to decide whether Dow the government suggesting that High Court, taking objection for should hold legal liability for the the Indian industry led by him sending Bhopal waste material Bhopal disaster. may be allowed to pay for the to Gujarat saying it might The chemicals ministry, in cleanup in order to take the hamper the environment here.. tandem with the law ministry, legal liability off Dow. However, Chief justice C. J. was asked recently by the Times of India/ Delhi/ Patnaik, after going though government to forward a fresh 06/09/07 arguments from both side, said note on Dow’s liability despite BELL was inspected by the its earlier stand that the Gujarat says no to Central Pollution Control Board, chemical giant shell out Rs 100 National Environment and crore as advance for the liability Bhopal disaster waste Engineering Research Institute, of cleaning up while the Ministry of chemicals & Jabalpur Bench of the Madhya Rahul Mangaonkar | TNN fertilizers and Madhya Pradesh Pradesh High Court Ahmedabad: The fear of toxic and Gujarat State Pollution adjudicated on the matter. waste from the infamous Control Boards. Sources told TOI that the Bhopal gas disaster site They were fully satisfied chemicals ministry had stuck to reaching Gujarat may have just with the facilities at BEIL and its guns and defended its got over. The Gujarat Pollution also according to experts the position of demanding a pay up Control Board (GPCB) has now left over material lying at the from Dow. However, the law told the Centre that the “waste site has lost almost all its toxic ministry contends it would be cannot be incinerated” in the properties, as no pesticides crucial to figure out whether state. retains its efficiency or toxicity Union Carbide had passed on This comes two years after after two years. its liabilities to Dow when it was the GPCB had issued a ‘no Hence it is important to clean bought over in 2001 before objection certificate’ (NOC). the site and the cleansed site implicating Dow Chemicals into The waste was supposed to be can be used for good utilization the case. But not wanting to incinerated at a facility in south for the people. disturb the ongoing court case, Gujarat. Free Press Journal 21/08/07 the ministry believes the Experts now question why decision could finally lie with such a permission was given in Ministries differ over the judiciary. the first place. GPCB points out Senior government officials that it was done only after an Dow liability in Bhopal told TOI that the law ministry’s order of the government of clean-up advice could be interpreted to India, directing that the waste mean that instead of be incinerated in Gujarat. Chemicals, Law Ministries At demanding the advance, the However, letters sent by the Loggerheads Over Advance government should look at the government of India to the state Payment fine print of the deal between chief secretary, copies of which the two companies. In the case were procured through RTI, Nitin Sethi & Akshaya Mukul | of the deal between the two not show that it was just a “request” TNN transferring any legal liabilities, and not a direction. the chemicals ministry may In November last year, Union chemicals and fertilisers 29

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster secretary Satwant Reddy had thousands of lives. The suggestions, the government written to then chief secretary Department of Industries has has acted and the Cabinet will Sudhir Mankad, seeking moved a Cabinet note asking soon examine the proposal, a “permission” to transport and the government to absolve Dow senior government funetionary incinerate the toxic, hazardous Chemicals of all legal liabilities. said. waste in Ankleshwar. The Chemicals and Fertilizers Hindustan Times/ Delhi/ GPCB first gave an NOC for Ministry had earlier filed an 22/10/07 67 tonnes of tarry waste in affidavit in the Madhya Pradesh 2005 and later changed it to High Court seeking Rs 100 Alumni urge IITs to 350 tons in December last crore from the company as year. “They have to take our initial compensation. The note boycott Dow permission to transport the provides for withdrawal of the Chemicals waste, which we have denied affidavit and out-of-court now,” said GPCB chairman CL settlement. It is based on the Dow Chemicals, the new owner Meena. Law Ministry's opinion that the of the Union Carbide plant in When told about the government can opt to settle Bhopal, is facing opposition permission granted earlier, out of court with Dow from new quarters over issues Meena retorted: “I am not Chemicals as the latter does related to the gas disaster of aware of permissions given not own the financialliabilities of December 1984. before my term.” Union Carbide, the main About 1,000 alumni of the There has been much accused in the case. Indian Institutes of Technology consternation among senior The Chemicals Ministry has (IITs) have sent a petition to the officials in the Sachivalaya, opposed this view. Dow directors of the seven premier who feel that they were kept in Chemicals claims it is not liable government-owned engineering the dark. “The issue of getting to pay compensation because it institutes urging them to ban Bhopal waste to Gujarat is a did not inherit the liabilities of Dow Chemicals, which serious one. Other departments Union Carbide when it bought acquired the Union Carbide like health and GSDMA should the company Magsaysay plant in 2001, from any have been consulted,” said a Award winner Sandeep partnership or role in the bureaucrat. Pandey, who is associ- ated premier institutes of the Meena, however, told TOI with the tragedy victims, country. that “other departments have described the move as This comes soon after the no role to play.” “A health audit cheating on the par t of the company was forced to cancel needs to be conducted before government. "Allowing Dow pre-placement talks, due in the such a decision is taken,” said Chemicals in India without last week of October, in IIT a health department official. paying the liabilities is a crime," Madras and Bombay following Statistics available with Bhopal he said. pressure from some of the Medical Appeal, an NGO, say: The government had students and faculty. - Around 5 lakh people sought the Law Ministry's “A separate petition signed exposed opinion after Dow Chemicals by 89 of the faculty and - About 20,000 are believed to had expressed its wish to make students within IIT Madras have died till date huge investments in India, urged its director to bar Dow - On an average, one person provided the legal hurdles were from recruiting students on dies every day from the effects. removed. In April, the then campus. The company - Over 1.20 lakh continue to Cabinet Secretary B.K. cancelled its pre-placement suffer breathing difficulties, Chaturvedi had favoured talks in IIT Madras and Bombay cancer, serious birth-defects, settling the issue with Dow after students raised the issue blindness, gynaecological Chemicals "appropriately". about its entry into IIT,” they complications Even Ratan Tata had written to said. Times of India/ Ahmedabad/ the Planning Commission and Releasing the petition here, 11/10/07 Finance Ministry earlier this Magsaysay award winner year, recommending an out- Arvind Kejriwal and activist Govt may clear Dow ofcourt settlement. The Tata Praful Bidwai, both IIT alumni, group had even proposed a said the public outrage Chemicals path remediation fund to clean up stemmed from Dow's continued 8,000 tonnes of waste at the evasion of legal responsibilities Chetan Chauhan tragedy site. Last year, four US in Bhopal. THE CENTRE is all set to pave senators and Dow Chemicals “Dow Chemicals not only the way for Dow Chemicals to chief executive officer Andrew acquired Union Carbide but invest in India, by removing all N. Livers had written to the also its liabilities as well. The "legal hurdles" related to the Prime Minister seeking his company has to clean up the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy, one intervention to settle the issue. toxic waste in Bhopal, of the world's biggest industrial Within a year of these compensate the victims of disasters that claimed 30

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster contamination and force its Speaking to reporters here on is our duty to register our subsidiary to face criminal trial Thursday, Rashida Bee, a 50- protest against the company.'' in the Bhopal court. Otherwise, year-old survivor and winner of They have got an initial moral Dow will be met with hostility the Goldman prize for victory a few days ago, when wherever it goes in India,” grassroots environmental the IIT Madras successfully Bidwai said. activism, said, ``We (survivors) thwarted the company from When contacted, fully object to the plans of the recruiting its students for the Nandkumar Sanglekar, director company Dow, owner of Union company's Research and (public affairs), said, “We are Carbide, which was responsible Development Lab, to be set up not aware of the developments. for the Bhopal gas leak at Guindy . Giving a new Dow India is searching for the disaster, to set up any facility dimension to the campaign, best talent in the country to on Indian soil. It is our duty to Sarita Malviya, a 14-year-old expand its operations and we register our protest against the survivor of the disaster said, would go to the IITs for company.'' They have got an ``This time onwards, we plan to recruitment.” initial moral victory a few days take up the matter with children “From last six months we ago, when the IIT Madras and students of schools and have recruited more than 120 successfully thwarted the colleges, as they are capa- ble engineers and 100 researchers company from recruiting its of moving masses towards the from some of the leading students for the company's goal.'' The delegation will institutions in the country and Research and Development engage in intensive so far our experience is Lab, to be set up at Guindy . campaigning among college encouraging,” he said. Giving a new dimension to youth and school children, and “Dow was supposed to the campaign, Sarita Malviya, a also travel to Cuddalore, Salem come to IIT Madras for 14-year-old survivor of the and Mettur to show solidarity recruitment in last week of disaster said, ``This time with the communities affected October. But after the protests onwards, we plan to take up with pollu- tion there. from some students and the matter with children and New Indian Express/Chennai/ faculty, they cancelled their students of schools and 26/10/07 preplacement talks. colleges, as they are capable of They informed that they moving masses towards the Gas victims to would send a representative in goal.'' The delegation will a few days to resolve the engage in intensive file1,00,000 petitions matter,” Jayakumar, placement campaigning among college in SC co-ordinator, IIT Madras told youth and school children, and Business Standard. also travel to Cuddalore, Salem The survivors of the Bhopal gas Calling upon the students of and Mettur to show solidarity tragedy will file 100,000 IITs to bar Dow from entering with the communities affected petitions in the Supreme Court their campuses, Bidwai and with pollution there. demanding more compensation Kejriwal urged the IITs to set an A group of Bhopal tragedy for deaths and injuries caused example by developing survivors have urged the resi- by the toxic gas leakage from screening criteria for dents to prevent Dow-Carbide Union Carbide on the night of corporations wishing to partner from setting up a research December 2, 1984. or recruit from IITs. facility here, because the The petitions will be filed on Business Standard/ Delhi company was responsible for November 10 to impress upon 25/10/07 the horrendous Bhopal gas the Supreme Court to rethink tragedy. As part of their its May 3, 2007 judgement that No repeat of Bhopal campaign in Tamil Nadu, the turned down the plea from the group plans to spread Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila gas tragedy awareness in schools and Udyog Sangathan, an organise a massive awareness association of the victims, A group of Bhopal tragedy rally at Nochikuppam on seeking five times more survivors have urged the resi October 29. Speaking to compensation. dents to prevent Dow-Carbide reporters here on Thursday, A revision petition was filed from setting up a research Rashida Bee, a 50-year-old in the apex court October 3 and facility here, because the sur- vivor and winner of the the fresh petitions will be company was responsible for Goldman prize for grassroots submitted ni support of that. 'It the horrendous Bhopal gas environmental activism, said, will possibly be the first tragedy. ``We (survivors) fully object instance of its kind in the As part of their campaign in to the plans of the company history of independent India,' Tamil Nadu, the group plans to Dow, owner of Union Carbide, association convenor Abdul spread awareness in schools which was responsible for the Jabbat said of the move to file and organise a massive Bhopal gas leak disaster, to set a large number of petitions. awareness rally at up any facility on Indian soil. It The organisation had earlier Nochikuppam on October 29. 31

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster sought nearly five-fold increase Ltd (BEIL) in Ankleshwar discretionary powers in such in the Rs 470 crore Gujrat.” cases otherwise we would be compensation announced, but Recently, MK Nagrik helpless.” the court rejected the plea Parivahan & Udyog Sahakari Both the authorities are saying, 'if any of the victims Samiti, a company, has confident that the toxic waste was denied proper responded to a tender floated removal process will be compensation, he or she can for the second time by the completed in accordance with approach the Claims Tribunal Bhopal Gas Relief and the guidelines issued by the for appropriate settlement of Rehabilitation Department for Jabalpur High Court, within two claims.' removing 46 tonnes of lime months with the NGO’s The petitioners had claimed sludge. cooperation. that the Rs 470 crore The sludge is to be Business Standard/ Delhi/ compensation was inadequate transported and land-filled in 09/ 11/ 07 and several victims did not Pithampur (Dhar district) site receive the amount till date. developed by the Ramky Gujarat against Free Press/ Indore/ Group. 02/ 11/ 07 NGOs have questioned the disposal of Bhopal experience of the bidder. waste at Ankleshwar Officials confident of Government authorities say it will not be a simple exercise of BHOPAL: The Gujarat clearing Union transportation. “Whosever government has refused to Carbide premises exec utes the task will have to allow disposal of toxic waste abide by the norms of the from the abandoned Union MP government authorities are Central Pollution Control Board. Carbide plant at the incinerator now confident of disposing of The land will be concreted and facility in Ankleshwar, the solid toxic wastes lying on tagged while the rest of the according to copies of letters the Union Carbide India Ltd toxic waste will be reduced to from the Gujarat Pollution premises. nothing at 1,400 degree Control Board (GPCB) and the They say non- government temperature,” said SP Gautam, State’s Department of Forest organisations are main hurdle chairman and head of the and Environment. than the gas victims in technical sub-committee that This was highlighted at a removing the toxic wastes. has recommended the terms press conference here on The Madhya Pradesh and condition of the disposal. Sund ay by representatives of Pollution The Bhopal Gas Relief and four people’s organisations Control Board and Bhopal Gas Rehabilitation Department has working among the victims of Relief and Rehabilita tion also questioned the role of the the 1984 Union Carbide gas Department do not see any Gujarat Pollution Control board disaster. Mediapersons were possible threat to the on its refus e al to accept the jointly addressed by Satinath environment while transporting toxic waste. Sarangi and Rachna Dhingra of or disposing of the toxic waste. “Why did they (Gujarat Bhopal Group for Information & “It has been lying there, Pollution Control Board) accept Action, Syed M. Irfan of Bhopal unattended, in the open, for at the Jabalpur High Court’s Gas Peedit Mahila Purush least 19 years. How toxicity orders last month? Sangharsh Morcha and increases with the passage of They should have refused Rashida Bi of Bhopal Gas time we don’t know,” said before the court,” said Dubey. Peedit Mahila Stationery Krishna Kant Dubey, a senior However, some officials in the Karmachari Sangh. official with the Bhopal Gas state government believe that Copies of the letters were Relief and Rehabilitation the Gujarat government wants circulated among journalists. Department. to avoid the matter since These were obtained using the The MP Pollution Control elections are nearing. Right to Information Act. Board also does not see any Replying to a question that if “Feigning ignorance” potential hazard in handling the NGOs want Dow Chem to Mr. Sarangi said the solid toxic wastes. “No one is remove the waste and a claim Madhya Pradesh government interested in its disposal. If for environment pollution, continued to feign ignorance in disposal takes place, there will Dubey said, this regard and was trying to be no issue. We have “We work on the pollution cover up its failure to find a recommended the (solid waste) pace principle. There was no facility within the country that disposal to the task force. Now Act on environment till 1989. would accept Bhopal’s the state government has to How can you punish someone hazardous waste for disposal. execute the task. Half the solid in retrospect? The letters refer to “opposition waste will be land-filled and the Fortunately, the court has from various NGOs and rest will be incinerated by representatives of public” and Bharuch Enviro Infrastructure

32

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster categorically state that the Bhopal Group for Information & senior Supreme Cour t Madhya Pradesh government Action that are active on issues advocate Vivek Tankha must carry out “disposal of the of the 1984 gas disaster and presented affidavit from the waste elsewhere.” toxic contamination in the Centre's side that the Gujarat Mr. Sarangi said that safe vicinity of the abandoned government was not prepared disposal of the toxic waste was factory. for destruction of the waste at not possible in India, and Hundreds of children Ankleshwar. Today an affidavit Gujarat’s refusal to handle it including those born to gas was also presented by the MP proved this point. exposed parents with birth Govt saying earlier the Gujarat The leaders heading the defects chanted slogans on the Govt had agreed for destruction people’s organisations failure of the State Government of the UC waste at Ankleshwar. reiterated their demand that the in providing social security to Also presented, along with the government should force Dow the victims. affidavit, was the written Chemical to clean up and ship Ms Vinuta Lakhera, a gas permission by Gujarat Pollution the toxic waste to some facility victim from Kainchi Chhola and Control Board and estimate in the United States just as the mother of 12 year old Jeet who according to which the MP Tamil Nadu Pollution Control had congenital heart disease Govt was to provide Its 70 lakh Board forced Unilever in 2003 (Ventricular Septal Defect with to the Gujarat Govt. From the to ship its mercury waste from Fallot's Tetralogy) stated that petitioner's side, advocate its thermometer factory in she was denied financial Naman Nagrath objected to the Kodaikanal to the United States assistance for Jeet's surger y waste disposal work being for treatment and disposal. despite appeals to Chief given on contract to a The organisations also Minister Shivraj Singh. contractor for transporting presented copies of Rashida Bee ,of the feertilizer. Rather this work correspondence between the Chingari Trust that paid over should be given to a party Madhya Pradesh Pollution Rs.one lakh for Jeet`s which has experience in Control Board (MPPCB) and successful surgical treatment handling dangerous materials, the Union Carbide to show that recently, said that there are Naman contended . in 1991 the Board close to two hun dred children The court then directed for recommended export of toxic with congenital deformities who continuing the proces s of waste. continue to be denied medical removal of waste from Union Drawing attention to the attention by the State Carbide plant. massive exposure of residents Government. Also, the contract work of near the Union Carbide plant Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ transport of UC waste be site to toxic dust during the 17/ 11/ 07 cleared only after the orders of packaging of the waste in June the court. 2005, the activists expressed HC directs for removal Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ apprehension that the Bhopal of UC waste 22/ 11/ 07 residents and those on the route of the trucks carrying the Bhopal's ongoing waste would once again suffer A bench of Chief Justice Anang health hazards. Kumar Patnaik and Justice tragedy Hindu/ Delhi/ 12/ 11/ 07 Singh on Wednesday directed for resuming the process of Sreelatha Menon removal of waste matter from 23 years on, the decision on Gas-hit children the Union Carbide plant. who’s going to clean it up is the Commenting on an affidavit of subject of a court case Children of Bhopal whose the Central government, the Survivors of the 1984 Bhopal health has been impaired due court said that the objections gas tragedy, the country’s to poisons from Union Carbide raised by the Gujarat worst industrial mishap when observed 'Children's Day' government are not honest. 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate through a demonstration Only after agreement by the (MIC) gas leaked from Union regarding social security Gujarat government, the court Carbide’s pesticide plant, pension for families with had given directives for continue to cope with serious children with birth defects at removal of waste matter from health problems and the residence of the Principal the plant. contaminated water, but the Secretary, Department of It may be noted that the government doesn’t seem too Bhopal Gas Tragedy, M P petitioner Alok Pratap Singh concerned. It believes its Government. had moved the public interest responsibilities are over now The demonstration was led petition when the waste at the that each of the 5.7 lakh victims by Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Union Carbide plant were not has been given around Rs Stationary Karmchari Sangh, being re-moved. 40,000-45,000 in two tranches Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila During the hearing today, (the last in 2004, based on the Purush Sangarsh Morcha and interest that had accrued on the 33

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster undisbursed Union Carbide them there using advanced compromised — if only funds). There is another technology. someone could make Bhopal petition in court asking for State government officials go away! A letter by Dow’s a five-fold increase in the also say, informally, that NGOs Andrew Liveris to India’s US original $470 million are exaggerating the exposure envoy Ronen Sen in November compensation that came in to contaminated water, and that last year was dug out by 1989, since it didn’t change the 25,000 persons living activists in Bhopal using the while the number of claimants around the old Carbide factory Right to Information law. The rose four to five times the are actually encroachers — letter says representatives of original estimate, but that’s and therefore, by implication, the government had agreed at another story. the government doesn’t owe the US-India CEO Forum that Indeed, while a recent them anything. Dow was not responsible and survey of children below the Of course, the cynical would not be pursued. Liversis, age of 12 in the area around attitude of the government is in his letter, urged Sen to take the erstwhile Union Carbide best seen from the fact that the matter forward and get local factory by the Chingari and Dow Chemical’ counsel on the CEOs and others involved to tilt Sambhavna Trus t found that case is Abhishek Singhvi who public opinion in Dow’s favour. 112 had cerebral palsy, cuts in is also the official Liveris als o asked Sen to look their lips and cheeks and some spokespe rson of the Congress into getting the central even a hole in the heart, the party. Singhvi, on his part, is of government to withdraw its government has not come up the view that his clients bear no application in the Madhya with any ongoing free medical responsibility as there were Pradesh high court asking Dow follow –up treatment plan to other companies between Dow to pay for the cleaning up. deal with the condition of the and Union Carbide, and since For the survivors of the six second and third generations of the companies had not merged, lakh victims, and the 25,000 Bhopal survivors. In most other there was no transfer of persons living in the immediate countries that have had similar liabilities. vicinity of the old Carbide plant, accidents, tracking and treating Lawyers such as Prashant however, whether Dow pays for the medical and psychological Bhushan, however, say the the cleaning up is perhaps of problems of the second and argument is fallacious and, if secondary importance. The third generations of survivors is the corporate veil is pierced, case can go on, they argue, but almost par for the course. the argument will be seen to be surely the government can Indeed, the 396 metric hollow. spend the few hundred crore tones of toxic waste inside the Activist Nityanand Jayaraman required and buy the necessary factory remain untouched to of the International Campai gn technical expertise required to this day, and activists say an for Justice in Bhopal argues dispose off the toxic waste that even larger amount is lying that the US law believes in is leaching into the ground outside, slowly leaching down ‘successor liability’ — so Dow water as well? and contaminating the ground is responsible for cleaning up But, if successive water — around 25,000 the mess in the city. Dow’s governments, at both the persons live in the vicinity of corporate relations official in Centre and in the state, have the factory. The governme nt, India, Nandkumar Sanglekar, not even bothered to get both at the state and the Centre repeats the official company ongoing free medical help for (both are responde nts in the line that Dow has not inherited the survivors of the awful Madhya Pradesh high court, any liability, that the tragedy, perhaps that’s asking along with Union Carbide and compensation and settlement for too much. As Rachna its new owners, Dow ad already been reached Dhingra of the International Chemical), is sticking to its before Dow even entered the Campaign for Justice in Bhopal old stance that the polluter picture. says, “Whatever the must pay. While the court has At another level, Ratan Tata government and Dow do in the asked the Gujarat government who heads the Investment court, the reality is that kids are to take the toxins to the Commission has suggested born with deformities.” Ankleshwar –based incinerator, that a way be found out without Business Standard/ Delhi/ the state is not too keen since it putting all the responsibility on 25/ 11/ 07 is not certain it will be able to Dow — the commerce ministry deal with it. Many argue that is also pushing the same line at Rs 70 cr monument this is the correct strategy as the Group of Ministers which is shipping the toxins to Gujarat looking into the matter. The for gas victims could well lead to a mini- argument given here is that Bhopal there — the view is that while Bhopal happened 23 A monument of interim national Dow should take the toxins years ago, Dow’s very large standard would be constructed back to the US and destroy investment plans in India could at the Union Carbide factory get premises in the state capital in

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster memory of victim of 1984 1984, yet studies on genetic exposure to lethal gases and Bhopal Gas Tragedy, which disorders of next generations now to contaminated water has claimed thousands of lives and have been desultory and seriously marred efforts to maimed several lakhs of insufficient check the effects of poisonous people. Official sources said I Sanjay Sharma gases on the next generation of the monument would be built the affected. over an area of 87 acre! at a Twenty three years have The Indian Council of cost of Rs 70 error. The passed since the world's worst Medical Research (ICMR) Housing and Environment man- made disaster occurred initiated 18 studies in the department was preparing an but the trauma still continues aftermath of the Bhopal outline in this regard. A for those who survived that disaster. However, despite provision of Rs 10 crore as first fateful night of December 2- 3, findings of long-term damage, instalment towards the- project 1984 when more than 40 these studies were all has been made in the budget. tonnes of Methyl Iso-Cyanate prematurely ended within 10 Meanwhile, the government (MIC) spewed out of the now years. That too at a time when has appro ved an amount of Rs defunct Union Carbide's the evidence of damage on the 2.80 crore for the municipal pesticide plant in Bhopal. offspring of survivors was corporation for making drinking Having borne the brunt of beginning to show. water available for people in neurological, hormonal and The ICMR studies, though ten gas - affected wards. mental health problems - terminated prematurely, did Besides, a Rs 9.28 crore besides, of course, the show that children of exposed proposal for making permanent economic miseries - the mothers had delayed physical drinking water arrangements in survivors are now faced with and mental development and 14 slums surrounding Union the problem of deformed lower values for Carbide premises was sent to children. anthropometrical parameters the Centre for approval but has Children conceived and such as height and mid-arm not been sanctioned so far. born after the disaster to circumference. The government has affected parents were "Most studies done by the provided Rs" 3.60 crore from its significantly different from ICMR were by the Sambhavna limited resources to the children of the same age born Trust Clinic indicated that about municipal corporation for to unexposed parents, says a half of the people living in the making clean drinking water recent study carried out by contaminated area were available in these slums. Sambhavna Trust which runs a suffering from multiple A scheme for rehabilitation clinic to treat the gas-affected symptoms. of gas - affected by providing- people. "Such children were According to local groups them training in 'Zari' art- and shorter, thinner, lighter and had monitoring the water quality, preparing artificial flowers and smaller heads. contamination from the factory fruits has also been chalked Also, children of exposed has now spread to 16 wards out. Meanwhile, Chief Minister parents showed abnormal and affects an estimated Shivraj Singh Chouhan will take growth in their upper bodies – 16,000-20,000 people. The part in 'Sarva Dharma Sabha' disproportionately smaller than gas - hit kids, mainly those at Central Library ground on their lower bodies," the study living in these 16 December 3 at 1030 hours in points out. wards, this year held a Barkatullah Bhavan here and Medical research is thus demonstration to demand pay tributes to victims on the desperately needed specially social security pension for the 23rd anniversary of the into the possible genetic and families with birth defects, as tragedy. reproductive after-effects of the the nation celebrated Children's On the intervening night of lethal gas leak that, 23 years Day. December 2- 3, 1984, ago, killed more than 3,000 The demonstration was held thousands died after inhaling people instantly and thousands under the aegis of Bhopal methyl iso-cyanate while subsequently years. But the Group for Information and several lakh continue to suffer genetic damage to the children Action (BGIA), Bhopal Gas the deleterious effect of -born to survivors - has been Peedit Mahila Stationary inhaling the deadly vapours. severely under -studied, allege Karmchari Sangh and Bhopal Central Chronicle/ rights activists, who say, "This Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Hyderabad/ 01/ 12/ 07 has led to unsystematic Sangarsh Morcha, the treatment of gas victims organisations that have been Bhopal’s deformed already faced with neurological, fighting for the victims of the hormonal and mental health Bhopal gas disaster. children problems". "Children suffering congenital Lack of research into the deformities continue to be The govt itself estimated half a possible genetic and denied medical attention. Only million people were exposed to reproductive ramifications of 14 children received official the toxic Carbide gas leak of 35

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster assistance for heart surgery working for their cause have obtained certain documents and 13 assistance in diagnosis sought setting up of a from the Prime for congenital brain anomalies National Commission to cater Minister’s Office under the between 1992 and 1997, under to their medical needs for the Right to Information Act. These the programme SPARC next 30 years. 'They need documents suggest how keen (Special Assistance to At Risk specialized health care at least the government is to relieve the Children) but it was suddenly for the next 30 years. Setting Dow Chemical Company of any withdrawn in 1997 citing up of a National Commission liability for the disaster and its financial constraints", focussing on long-term toxic legacy. bemoaned Rashida Bee of the rehabilitation of the survivors Among the documents is an Chingari Trust working for gas and their next generation is a internal note submitted by survivo rs. must," said Mohd Ali Qaiser, a Minister for Commerce and "There are an unusually physician at Sambhavana Trust Industry Kamal Nath to the large number of children with Clinic who is treating the gas Prime Minister on February 7. cerebral palsy too in the victims. This note deals with the issue communities affected by gas or The Methyl Iso Cynate of legal liability of the Dow contaminated groundwater," (MIC) that leaked from the Chemical Company of the she alleged, lamenting that Union Carbide factory on the United States, which purchased between 1984 and 2000, the intervening night of December Union Carbide Corporation government spent a paltry sum 2-3, 1984, had affected those (UCC) and its Indian of Rs 3,761 per year per child exposed to the gas and also investments in 1999. orphaned by the disaster. their children, he said, quoting The Minister referred to the 'In addition to children with an internationally- published public interest litigation (PIL) birth defects, thousands of research by the clinic. Claimi going on in the Madhya widows and destitute victims ng to have evolved treatment Pradesh High Court about the are being denied social support protocols for gas victims 1984 disaster, in which the pension. In the last 23 years, integrating allopathy, ayurveda, Ministry of Chemicals and the official administration of panchakarma and yoga, the Fertilizers had moved the court rehabilitation of victims of doctor said 'our results show in May 2005 to seek directions Union Carbide has been riddled that it is possible to provide to Dow to deposit Rs.100 crore with corruption, apathy and safe inexpensive and effective as remedial cost. incompetence,' said Rachna health care through holistic Kamal Nath suggeste d that Dhingra of the BGIA. "The approach.' in view of the likelihood of problem in the second The National Commission substantial investment from generation due to gas exposure should be formed through Dow in India, a group led by the is one that will affect tens of participation of government and Cabinet Secretary be formed to thousands, and potentially non- government organizations, look into the matter holistically many more in the future, and it with a thirty-year action plan. It and the matter of legal needs to be addressed should ensure the line of responsibility of the company immediately. Yet the treatment, availability of drugs, be left for the court to decide. government has only very conduct medical research and He proposed that this group scanty information on this become a forum for redressal could consult all the matter and no plans for the of, complaints, he said. PTI stakeholders including industry, health or special assistance Free Press/ Indore/ 03/ 12/ 07 which, according to a letter needed for them," said from Ratan Tata, chairman of Champa Devi, another activist. Dow shalt pay Tata Sons Limited, was willing She is the recipient of the to have an industry- led

American Public Health remediation arrangement V. VENKATESAN and VIDYA Association's Goldman VENKAT (Frontline, February 9). Environmental Award for her Kamal Nath’s refer ence was to Civil society groups resist Dow work among gas victims. a letter Tata had written to Chemical’s bid to evade liability Sahara Time/ Delhi/ 12/ 12/ 07 for the Bhopal gas disaster as Finance Minister P. Chidambaram regarding the the government seeks to creation of a Remediation Fund National Commission absolve it. The Union Carbide factory with contributions from the for Bhopal gas victims private sector. On Tata’s in urged proposal, Prime Minister Bhopal, which the U.S.- based Dow Chemical Company has Manmohan Singh wrote: With victims of the 1984 Bhopal bought. “This proposal requires serious gas tragedy still lacking In June, activists working consideration. Maybe a small adequate treatment and among the survivors of the group under Cabinet Secretary rehabilitation facilities, activists 1984 Bhopal gas leak disaster look into it involving among others Environment Ministry.”

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Both Chidambaram and the that it had nothing to do with an offer is submitted to the Deputy the matter. High Court of Madhya Pradesh Chairman of the Planning The High Court permitted by the individual/agency Commission, Montek Singh the inclusion of UCC and EIIL making the offer and seek Ahluwalia, to whom Tata had but is yet to issue orders on directions thereon.” written similar letters, whether to delete the name of But the dep artment’s note of concurred with the view that the Dow. The High Court has caution had no impact. A note pending case in the High Court constituted a task force for prepared by Cabinet Secretary need not deter the removing and destroying the B.K. Chaturvedi on April 6 consideration of Tata’s toxic wastes lying at the made clear what ought to be proposal. abandoned factory site. The the government policy: “Given The Department of rationale for the court’s order the scope for future Chemicals and Petrochemicals, was that the responsibility for investments in the sector, it the administrative department clean-up should not stands to reason that instead of concerned, however, opposed overshadow the question of the continuing to agitate these Tata’s proposal. In its note on clean-up itself. The court, issues in court for a protracted January 5, the department therefore, did not give priority to period, due consideration be revealed that it had told a determining Dow ’s liability and given to the prospect of settling representative of Dow who its responsibility for the clean- these issues appropriately. An visited the department that up. important aim is to remove there appeared to be no valid Dow has consistently uncertainties and pave the way ground for the Government of denied inheriting any liability for for promoting investments in India to withdraw or modify its the Bhopal legacy from UCC. the sector.” application dated May 10, However, back in the U.S., it The Cabinet Secretary 2005, filed in the Madhya set aside $2.2 billion to address referred in his note to Tata’s Pradesh High Court (seeking future asbestos -related letter stating that it was critical Rs.100 crore as compensation liabilities arising out of the for Dow to have the Ministry of from Dow) since the issue of Carbide acquisition. Chemicals and Fertilizers deleting the name of Dow Activists of the International withdraw its application in the was sub judice. Campaign for Justice in Bhopal Madhya Pradesh High Court The PIL petition was filed by argue that if Dow can assume for a financial deposit by Dow Alok Pratap Singh in July 2004 responsibility for asbestos- against the remediation cost, seeking directions to the induced illnesses among as that application would imply Central and State governments victims in America, why then it that the Government of India for the removal of the toxic should deny responsibility viewed Dow as “liable” in the wastes from the former Union towards the victims of Bhopal Bhopal gas disaster case. Carbide India Ltd (UCIL) plant and its continuing toxic legacy. The Cabinet Secretary, site at Bhopal and for A.M. FARUQUI Residents of therefore, suggested recons remediation. Singh pleaded neighbourhood communities titution of the existing Group of that the court hold Dow demonstrating outside the Ministers (GoM) dealing with responsible for causing abandoned factory on July 18 matters relating to the Bhopal environmental pollution and demanding that Dow Chemical gas disaster with appropriate pass suitable orders against pay for the damage the disaster changes in its mandate to help the company to assume the caused to the environment and Dow. The GoM is yet to be yet-to-be discharged liabilities to public health. reconstituted as suggested by of UCC for the continuing and The Department of him. long -term impact of the Chemicals and Petrochemicals Curiously, the Prime disaster. He sought directions explained its position on Tata’s Minister’s Office kept in its file a to Dow to provide for long-term offer as follows: copy of the legal opinion medical care for the victims of “The matter is sub judice and tendered by Abhishek Manu the gas leak, for research and the Singhvi, Dow’s counsel in the for monitoring the ill-effects High Court of Madhya Pradesh Madhya Pradesh High Court of the pollution of land and is itself monitoring the entire and also spokesperson for the water in and around the factory process of environmental Congress party. Singhvi site at Bhopal. Dow, which was remediation…. Moreover, it suggested that Dow could not also made a respondent in the may be mentioned that as per be held responsible and/or petition, requested the High the provisions of Hazardous liable for the Bhopal gas Court to implead UCC (U.S.A) Wastes (Management and tragedy and could not be held and Eveready Industries India Handling) Rules, 1989, i t is the liable for the alleged Limited (EIIL) as respondents polluter who is liable for contamination and/ or and to delete its name from the meeting the cost of cons equent cleaning up of the array of parties on the grounds environmental remediation. It Bhopal site. may be appropriate that such While the government – with

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster the probable exception of the Last year, the company was a Department of Chemicals and major sponsor for this event. Petrochemicals – by and large Also, in Kharagpur, Dow has appears to be inclined to let not been invited for campus Dow evade liability for the placements. In IIT Kanpur, Bhopal clean-up, civil society students have put up an online groups have successfully petition demanding that the resisted Dow’s efforts to woo institute refuse Dow public opinion. sponsorship for the The resistance has International and INNCOM-6 surprisingly come from groups Conference, scheduled for of students, faculty members December. The petition has and alumni of the Indian received around 100 signatures Institutes of Technology (see from IIT Kanpur students. In box). This happened in the their petition, the students have wake of Dow’s recent attempts referred to the various to forge links with the IITs for controversies in which the recruitment for its upcoming company is embroiled. In R&D centre in Maharashtra. August, officials of Dow Agro Dow was expected to come for Sciences, an Indian subsidiary, “pre- placement talks” in IIT were implicated by the Central Madras and IIT Bombay in Bureau of Investigation (CBI) October. But on October 10, a for bribing Agricultural Ministry petition signed by 67 students officials to expedite the and 22 faculty members of IIT registration of three pesticides Madras reached its Director, between 1996 and 2001. M.S. Ananth. It requested him These pesticides included to “remove Dow Chemicals Dursban (chlorpyrifos), which from the list of companies had been taken off American invited for campus markets after studies pointed to placements”. Following this, threats of toxic poisoning from Dow cancelled its talks it. Dow reportedly managed to scheduled on both these make significant profits through campuses. the sales of these pesticides in On October 24, senior India. journalist Praful Bidwai and The petitioners have also Ramon Magsaysay award raised the issue of Indian Oil winner Arvind Khejriwal, both Corporation cancelling a IIT alumni, launched a technology tie-up with Dow “Blacklist Dow” campaign in Global Technologies Inc., a New Delhi and released a subsidiary, in 2005 because the petition signed by over 1,000 company had attempted to alumni and former faculty pass off a Union Carbide members of the IITs. They patented technology as its own. urged each of the seven IITs to Said P.M. Bhargava, renowned bar Dow “from any partnership scientist and chairperson of or role in the premier institute”. The Sambhavna Trust in During the release, Bidwai said, Bhopal: “It is heartening to see “The company has to clean up a young generation of elite the toxic wastes in Bhopal, students take a moral stance compensate the victims of for the cause of the contamination, and force its underprivilege d victims of subsidiary to face criminal trial Bhopal.” in the Bhopal court. Otherwise, Frontline/ 07/ 12/ 07 it will be met with hostility wherever it goes in India.” As a fallout of this campaign, students in the Chemical Engineering Department of IIT Kharagpur have turned down sponsorship from Dow for their annual tech fest, Cheminsight, this year. 38

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster BHOPAL GAS DISASTER [ JANUARY - DECEMBER, 2008]

Bhopal tragedy comes Warkari Kisan Sangharsh change of ownership has been to haunt Dow R&D Samiti, after made in the revenue Bhamchandragarh, a place of documents. As on January 10, unit, villagers block historical importance near their 2008, the owner of the land road to site village. where the company is putting The villagers are working in up its facility is not MIDC or Vinod Mathew & Nisha threehour shifts between 8 am Dow Chemical," says villager Nambiar and 7 pm, playing the role of Genbhau Mengle. On January 16, they blocked sentry at this point and According to Purshottam the road leading to a 100-acre shouting slogans against the Jadhav, MIDC's regional officer construction site- one that, if company. Interestingly, at Pune, since it is a Dow Chemical has its way, will there has been no police action Government land, the onus is be their first R&D unit in India. against them. on the Government to change The project was started in "Let them arrest us," shouts its ownership once the District October. Shantaram Bapu Temghire, Collector passes the order and The construction work at the former sarpanch of the village, it's not mandatory to ask the Rs 400 -crore ‘Global Research reflecting the mood of the panchayat samiti's permission. Centre' came to a grinding halt villagers. "Of the 62.74 hectares, 10 as hundreds of residents of The stand of villagers has hectares were given back to Shinde village, a quiet hamlet perplexed N Y Sanglikar, the village, 40 hectares were tucked away in the interiors of Director, Public Affairs, Dow given for Dow Chemical and 12 Khed taluka in Chemical International Private hectares remained with the Pune district, woke up to an Limited, as he believed the Government," he says. uncomfortable reality-that Dow villagers were all for the ‘big However, the same is yet to be Chemical now owns Union project' till a few weeks ago. reflected in the 7/12 extract. Carbide Corporation. The "These are my people and I "The 100-acre plot has been Corporation was the parent know them. They can be easily allocated to us by the company of Union Carbide swayed. This week they may Maharashtra Government on a India Limited (UCIL) when the be opposing the project, but the long lease basis. Bhopal tragedy struck in 1984. next week they could be We have the appropriate For the villagers, however, it is supporting it. documents and approvals in of no consequence that UCIL The company has decided place needed to start and was hived off by UCC in 1994 to allow time to win back the continue the construction of the to McLeod Russel (India) confidence of the villagers. But research centre," points out Limited. there is no time frame," he Sanglikar. The negative light under says. Meanwhile, no efforts are which the 1,500- odd villagers According to Justice BG being spared by the company have begun to look at Dow Kolse Patil, retired judge of to convince the villagers of their Chemical's centre has led to a Bombay Hig h Court, Justice P bonafide intent. On January 22, decision that not a single truck, B Sawant, retired judge of Supr Dow Chemical got a letter of carrying building material or eme Court and social activist support from National Chemical any worker to the construction Vilas Sonawane, the villagers Laboratory (NCL). On site, will be allowed to pass were swayed by the arguments Thursday, NCL Deputy Director through the village, the sole of the company once, but not B D Kulkarni said he was approach to the Dow Chemical anymore. "An RTI has been requested by the company to unit. They know it could soon moved for information on Dow give a covering letter and he become a ‘law -and - order' and we are ready to file a writ did it immediately as NCL had situation and they're bracing up petition in the High Court for worked on some research to face such an eventuality, the same," says Patil. projects with Dow. When asked though as of now the protest is Meanwhile, villagers have in whether he had seen the a peaceful one. their hand - what they hope can project report, he said that they Sarpanch Gorakh Rambhau act as a legal spanner in the had assured him that it would Temghire - who was called project work the 7/12 extract of be send to him later. twice last week by the sub- the 100 acres where it's called The coming days may see divisional officer to be a ‘gairan' (grazing land for lot of developments as Dow persuaded to withdraw the cattle), which is to be looked Chemical is planning to woo agitation - has told the villagers after by the village panchayat. back those villagers who were that the agitation will continue "When it was given over by the supportive of their centre mid- under the umbrella of Government to the company, December when they got Bhamchandragarh Bachao we were not told about it. No ‘swayed by outsiders' - only two 39

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster months after Maharashtra Chief Bhopal survivors in the gas-affected children, not one Minister Vilasrao signed on the Commission on Bhopal. child has been covered, leading dotted line to pave way for the In addition to the to a spurt in destitution among facility. Empowered Commission on families with sick children. In The Indian Express/ Delhi/ Bhopal, the Padyatris are the contamination-affected 28/ 01/ 08 demanding that the Prime communities, a congenital Minister direct the ministries of deformity among new borns is a Gas-hit on foot march External Affairs, Agriculture, rising trend. The future Industries and Chemical & generations are in danger,” to Delhi fertilizers to take legal action said a statement issued by the against Union Carbide and International Campaign for Beginning February 20, over a Dow Chemical. Justice in Bhopal. hundred citizens of Bhopal Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ Accusing the co-ordination poisoned by Union Carbide s 19/ 02/ 08 committee set up by the Prime toxic chemicals will start their Minister to oversee march on foot to New Delhi to implementation of rehabilitation re-mind the Prime Minister of Bhopal gas tragedy schemes and environmental the promises he did not keep. remediation of not delivering, it This information was given by victims walk to said: “Over the last two years, the activists of Bhopal Gas Parliament Street the co-ordination committee Peedit Mahila Stationery has had three meetings and Karmchari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Conclude 800 km march from accomplished nothing. More Peedit Mahila Purush Sangarsh Bhopal in support of their than 25,000 people continue to Morcha and Bhopal Group for various demands consume poison -tainted Information & Action at a press groundwater in the absence of conference held here on Marking two years since their reliable and good quality water Monday. last padayatra all the way on supply. More than 5,000 tonnes The people in the Padyatra foot from Bhopal to Delhi, 50 of toxic wastes remains buried will include survivors of the people, including survivors of and spread around the factory 1984 Union Carbide disaster the 1984 gas tragedy, their site and no efforts have been and residents of communities in children, people exposed to taken to contain them or export the vicinity of the abandoned contaminated drinking water them outside for final disposal.” Union Carbide factory where and their supporters co ncluded The Hindu/ Delhi/ 30/ 03/ 08 the soil and ground water has their second 800-km march been contaminated for last 20 over the weekend by walking Bhopal survivors years. from Nizamuddin Park in The three survivors' and Bhopal to Parliament Street demand Rs 2,500 supporters' organizations: here in the Capital. crore rehabilitation Bhopal Gas Peedit “We were forced to undertake commission Mahila Stationery Kar-machari this gruelling walk because the Sangh, Bhopal Gas Peedit Prime Minister has failed to Mahila Purush Sangharsh The survivors of the Bhopal keep his word. This time, we industrial disaster seeking Morcha and Bhopal Group for are not going back until we get Information and Action,that are rehabilitation 24 years after the a public declaration from him toxic gas leakage from the leading the Padyatra are that he will deliver on his demanding that the Prime Union Carbide plant today met promise,” said Hazra Bi, a Congress General Secretary Minister direct the setting up of survivor and one of the an empowered commission on Rahul Gandhi and sought his padayatris. help to take their demands to Bhopal for long term medical According to the protesters, the care and rehabilitation of the Prime Minister Manmohan Government’s inaction on Singh. Bhopal victims and their rehabilitation and children: The main demand is setting environmental remediation has up of a Commission on Bhopal The organizations have placed the people of Bhopal at suggested the names of with a corpus of Rs 2,500 the receiving end of two crore, with Rs 100 crore for Padmabhusan Dr PM disasters -- the catastrophic Bharghva founder of the Centre every year that has passed 1984 gas leak and the ongoing since the tragedy. or Cellular and Molecular water contamination -- both Biology, Hyderabad, Dr Sneh The 60 survivors, led by with pronounced deadly effects activists from all over the Bhargav, former Director of the on children and future All India Institute of Medical country, have walked 850 km generations.“Despite a 1991 from Bhopal for a prolonged Sciences, New Delhi and eight Supreme Court order directing other scientists, social workers agitation in Delhi. Their mission the Government to extend is to get a hearing from the and former government officials insurance benefits to several as representatives of the prime minister, whose office 40

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster has so far turned down their today in support of the Bhopal caused by the Union Carbide’s petitions for a meeting. gas tragedy survivors who toxic gases and the other by Gandhi assured the group marched from Bhopal to Delhi, the water that is still that he would help them get a demanding rehabilitation and contaminated due to the hearing from the prime minister compensation for them and tragedy,” Yasmin said. and also get a group of young their children. This letter, along with others parliamentarians to visit Bhopal Echoing the marchers’ echoing similar sentiments and and look into their demands for demands for an empowered written by school students of rehabilitation. commission to provide medical, Delhi and Chennai, will be Two years ago, the same social, economic and submitted to Manmohan Singh group had trekked down from environmental rehabilitation to by a delegation of children. Bhopal seeking a meeting with those who have suffered since The marchers submitted a the prime minister for a final the 1984 tragedy, the children letter earlier to the Prime settlement of the problems of took the march from Jantar Minister with 20 questions. the victims and survivors of the Mantar to Parliament Street. These include queries like what gas tragedy. This resulted in a “We had heard of the Bhopal measures have been taken to formation of a committee to gas tragedy. But after hearing ensure medical care to victims settle rehabilitation issues. the tales from the people of the tragedy and why the The survivors have come themselves, especially from government has not taken any back only because the children, we feel strongly for steps to prosecute Union committee has achieved their cause,” said Raghav Carbide? nothing in the three meetings it Sharma, a student of Shri Ram Students of the Shri Ram has held so far. The survivors school. School, Tagore International are still consuming the water The tragedy dates back to School and Blue Bells School contaminated by about 8,000 December 3, 1984, when a were among those who tonnes of toxic waste which lies Union Carbide subsidiary participated in the rally. — buried at the site. pesticide plant in Bhopal IANS The Rs 2,500 crore- released 40 tonne of methyl The Tribune/ Delhi/ 17/ 04/ 08 commission would help in the isocyanate gas, killing social, economic and medical approximately 3,800 people. GoM promises to rehabilitation of the people hit The incident, known as one of by the gas tragedy and the the world’s worst industrial consider Bhopal ongoing contamination of disasters, left many suffering survivors’ plea ground water, says Rachna from chronic exposure. Dhingra Bhopal Group for Contaminated groundwater Representatives of three Information and Action. around the plant area still organisations working with What we are asking for is a continues to infect people with those affected by the gas leak pittance. We asked for this two various diseases. from Union Carbide’s plant in years ago but were given a Of the 50 people who took Bhopal have expressed toothless committee, she adds. the month-long Bhopal-Delhi satisfaction with the response The activists are bitter. Says march or padyatra of 800 km, of a Group of Ministers (GoM) Nityanand Jayaraman of five were children. after their meeting on International Campaign for Rachna Dhingra of the Thursday. Justice in Bhopal: “The Bhopal Group for Information The organisations had led a government will eagerly set up and Action said that the kids march of 50 Bhopal survivors an Investment Commission to who participated in the march and their supporters from facilitate investment by the likes were 11 -year-olds. Bhopal to Delhi and have been of Dow Chemicals but when “The marchers, including staging dharna at Jantar people in Bhopal want a children, have just one demand Mantar here for the past 20 rehabilitation commission, it is — Prime Minister Manmohan days. not interested. It gives a Singh keeps his promises that toothless body that can do he made to the people of Rehabilitation nothing but see requests Bhopal when they took a shuttled between state, Centre similar march two years ago,” The GoM assured them that it and the victims. Dhingra told IANS. would endorse and forward Business Standard/ Delhi/ Yasmin, one of the 11-year - their demand for a special 04/ 04/ 08 old marchers, has written a commission to address letter to the Prime Minister in rehabilitation, and for legal Kids march for Bhopal blood, urging him to keep his action against Dow and Union promises. Carbide, to the Prime Minister. gas victims “Children of Bhopal are While emphasising that it had victims of two of the world’s never conceded the Madhya Over 100 school kids worst disasters. One was Pradesh government’s request participated in a rally here 41

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster for inclusion of 20 additional the Central Government is its surroundings. Through this municipal wards in Bhopal as colluding with Dow Chemical to proposed settlement, the gas-affected, the GoM let it off its legal liability in an Government of India is members clarified that it had exchange for a promise to contemplating letting Dow off requested the State invest $ 1 billion in India. the hook, even while failing to government to submit data on The group has managed to discharge its own statutory gas-related deaths and injuries procure documents under the duties of protecting the in the 20 wards. But no such RTI Act that show that environment and holding the data had been submitted till Congress spokesperson polluters liable. date. Abhishek Manu Singhvi, Dow has argued that its counsel for Dow Chemicals in wholly-owned subsidiary Union No precedence the Madhya Pradesh High Carbide is a separate legal Court, and Ratan Tata, co- entity that handles its own Human Resource Development chairman of the US-India CEO liabilities, and that the Minister Arjun Singh, who Forum, believe that company Government of India should heads the GoM, reportedly told has no legal liabilities. “Seen in pursue Union Carbide and not the delegation that though the light of the case in Madhya Dow. “Dow’s argument is there was no precedence but a Prad esh High Court, this specious. Carbide has been an special commission for Bhopal collusion constitutes a absconder since 1992. Dow was justified as the disaster Contempt of Court by the knows very well that its was unprecedented. Government,” states the subsidiary will not respond to The GoM members are said to memorandum. summons from Indian courts,” have expressed their support In 2005, the Department of said Nayyar. for the demand of the three Chemicals and Petrochemicals “As a 100 per cent owner of organisations for legal action had asked the Madhya Union Carbide after the merger, against the Dow and Carbide. Pradesh HC to direct Dow Dow is saddled with successor Chemical to deposit Rs 100 liability. Its attempts to use the Paswan’s promise crore as advance towards corporate veil, separating Dow clean-up of contamination in and Union Carbide, to evade Chemical and Fertilizers Bhopal. A note prepared by liability is fraudulent,” added Minister Ram Vilas Paswan former Cabinet Secretary B K Bhushan. assured the delegation that the Chaturvedi refers to letters from Survivors of the 1984 government would continue its Ratan Tata and from Dow Bhopal disaster, and victims of efforts to make the Dow Chemical to the Indian water contamination are Chemical pay Rs. 100 crore as Ambassador in USA, currently camping in Jantar advance for environmental highlighting Dow’s difficulty in Mantar after an 800-km remediation. investing in India unless the padyatra from Bhopal to Delhi. Mr. Paswan also admitted that application filed by the Besides their demand for an after a recent fire incident at a Chemicals Department is empowered commission to toxic waste facility in withdrawn. address rehabilitation issues, Ankleshwar that was destined The Cabinet Secretary says, they also want the Government to receive Bhopal wastes, any “Given the scope of future to pursue Union Carbide and attempts to send wastes investments in the sector, it Dow for their respective anywhere else in the country stands to reason that instead of liabilities. would be met with opposition continuing to agitate against The Indian Express/ Delhi/ from local residents. these issues in court, due 22/ 04/ 08 The Hindu/ Delhi/ 19/ 04/ 08 consideration be given to the prospect of settling them Panel to decide Dow Memo on Bhopal: appropriately. An important aim is to remove uncertainties and proposal fate as gas lawyers, retired pave the way for promoting tragedy shadow still judges question investments in the sector.” looms ‘immunity’ to Dow Addressing a press conference on Monday, Supreme Court Gireesh Chandra Prasad More than 200 retired judges Advocate Prashant Bhushan US GIANT Dow Chemicals and lawyers have signed a and former Rajya Sabha MP may have to wait for an memorandum that says that the and senior journalist Kuldip independent commission’s attempts made by the Nayyar said that the views before it could firm up Government to grant Governments of India and plans for mega investments in “immunity” to Dow Chemical Madhya Pradesh and Dow India. The government is from its Bhopal liabilities are Chemical are “joint tort feasors” expected to appoint a high- “unconstitutional and illegal”. and are responsible for the powered committee to The memorandum alleges that condition of the Bhopal site and comprehensively look into 42

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster issues relating to the 1984 clean up the site, which the centres and monetary help Bhopal gas disaster, including company has not paid. besides research and Dow’s liability to clean up the The Economic Times/ Delhi/ monitoring programmes aimed site. The American chemical 25/ 04/ 08 at assessing the magnitude of major, with the support of the the problem and early detection US government and Indian Bhopal victims of such defects. industry, had been persuading The Hindu/ Delhi/ 30/ 04/ 08 New Delhi to take a view that it present ‘clinching’ is not liable to clearing the site proof of apathy Scrap Dow’s of the toxicity that persists there. Children of gas -hit parents pesticides, say Bhopal A group of ministers headed continue to suffer from gas tragedy survivors by Union human resources disorders development minister Arjun Thirty survivors of the Bhopal Singh heard NGOs last Parents of children from Bhopal gas disaster staged a protest in Thursday, where the activists with serious birth defects front of the Agriculture Ministry demanded an independent presented what they claimed to on Friday, demanding examination of all issues. The be evidence of the cancellation of registration of ministerial panel and the Government’s criminal three pesticides — Dursban, government of Madhya negligence towards the next Nurelle and Pride — all Pradesh are inclined to appoint generation of Union Carbide produced by American a commission, sources told ET. victims at a press conference multinational Dow Chemicals. The government would decide here on Tuesday. The agitators enacted a mock the structure of the commission Present at the press death scene. They said one of in consultation with the law conference were also parents the pesticides, Dursban, is ministry, the sources said. The who were exposed to methyl banned in the US, as it is a proposed commission would isocyanate and other toxic neuro-toxin that can cause also look into issues of relief gases during the 1984 gas leak permanent damage to and rehabilitation, lack of co- disaster and those who children’s brain. ordination between various continue to be exposed to toxic The Bhopal gas tragedy central and state agencies and chemicals and heavy metals survivors claimed that the the day-to -day difficulties of the like mercury in their drinking agriculture minister had failed affected people. It would also water from the community to keep his promise of May 4, have powers to summon hand-pumps. 2007, to the Parliament of stakeholders and give “The Central Government is taking action against the directions. The commission’s fully aware that the children of company after the CBI report would also be tabled in gas-affected parents suffer submitted its investigation Parliament. from congenital physical and report regarding bribes paid by Letting an independent mental growth disorders. For its Dow Chemicals. The survivors commission take a view on part, the State Government — who are on the 27th day of contentious issues would provided official assistance for their dharna at the Jantar absolve the government of heart surgery and congenital Mantar here after an 800-km- criticism for putting investments brain anomalies to merely 27 long padyatra from Bhopal — before human rights, especially children under a programme said that because of the when general elections and called Special Assistance to At minister’s inaction, the three various state assembly polls Risk Children. However, that illegally registered pesticides are expected soon. It would was terminated in 1997 citing continue to be produced and also help the government to financial constraints,” marketed in India. take a balanced view on other complained a parent. Dow Chemical has admitted rehabilitation issues where The parents of children born paying $22,000 (Rs 88 lakh) as different government agencies with brain damage, mental bribe to Agriculture Ministry have narrow administrative retardation and cleft lip and officials to expedite registration interests. palette said the Government of the three pesticides. The Dow’s efforts to be absolved continues to disregard a company had to pay a fine of $ of any legal liability for the slip Supreme Court order of 1991 325,000 (Rs 1.43 crore) to the of Union Carbide Corporation, that directed medical insurance Securities Exchange which it acquired in 2001, has for at least one lakh children Commission for violating the not met with much success as born to gas-exposed parents. US Foreign Corrupt Practices the chemicals and fertilizers Among other things, the Act last year. ministry has not supported it. parents are demanding from The Times of India/ Delhi/ The ministry had also asked the Government special 26/ 04/ 08 the company to pay Rs 100 medical assistance, crore as interim advance to community-based rehabilitation

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Bhopal children The ministry has said that R&D facility in Pune. In April irrespective of the manner in this year, it also announced an knock at which UCC has been merged investment of Rs600 crore in a Manmohan’s door or acquired by Dow Chemicals, plant at Dahej in Gujarat, in if there is any legal liability, it alliance with Gujarat Alkalies Police personnel preventing would have to be borne by the and Chemicals Ltd. Bhopal gas victims from company. Mint/ Delhi/ 13/ 05/ 08 staging a surprise This information was demonstration with their obtained through a Right to Bhopal authorities Information application children outside the Prime seek Army, NIDM help Minister’s residence in New submitted by some Bhopal Delhi on Monday. tragedy activists to the Prime for toxic clean-up More than 40 gas -affected Minister’s Office. children from Bhopal virtually The law ministry also said Shashikant Trivedi & knocked at the Prime Minister that in view of the ongoing Sreelatha Menon / Bhopal Manmohan Singh’s door at court case, “it cannot be said The Bhopal Gas Relief and Race Course Road to draw his that the investment proposed to Rehabilitation Department is attention to their demands. be made by the Dow talking to the Indian Army and The children, along with their Chemicals will be immune from the Delhi-based National parents, made a sudden the orders of the court.” Institute of Disaster appearance near the Prime In 2005 the department of Management (NIDM) to help Minister’s residence demanding chemicals and petrochemicals remove the toxic waste lying in livelihood and clean filed an application, requesting the premises of the closed environment. Dow to deposit Rs100 crore Union Carbide for the last 24 “We are of the same age as with the court for site’s clean- years. the Prime Minister’s up. In effect, the law ministry Last month, the department grandchildre n. Would he let his has said that till the matter is requested the Indian Army to grandchildren drink poisoned cleared by the high court, Dow help dispose of the waste. This water or see them sitting on the Chemicals cannot be absolved includes 376 tonnes of waste streets for days,” Yasim Khan, of UCC’s liabilities. lying in sacks in the premises who walked from Bhopal to Kailash Joshi, a Lok Sabha as well as 8,000 tonnes of Delhi, said.On April 16, Yasim member of th e Bharatiya waste buried underground, wrote a letter to Dr. Singh with Janata Party from Bhopal, said which continues to pollute blood drawn from the Bhopal he was not aware of the law groundwater in the area. gas victims, seeking ministry’s note on the issue. Department officials told cons titution of an empowered “How are we concerned who Business Standard that this commission to look into has sold the company and who was done following a court economic and medical has bought it?” asked Joshi. instruction. rehabilitation, environmental “All we are asking for is The Indian Army, however, clean-up and other issues compensation for those advised the department to rope related to the gas victims. affected by the tragedy. And we in the NIDM to remove the The Hindu/ Delhi/ 06/ 05/ 08 are agitating for inclusion of all waste. 56 wards in the Bhopal "A team from NIDM will visit Dow not immune from Municipal Corporation, instead the site probably next week. of just 36 wards at present (as NIDM will not remove the toxic any legal liability in the area affected by the 1984 waste but if roped in, it will Bhopal case: Centre gas tragedy). It is for the support the transporter in government to decide who handling the toxic waste," a Twenty-four years after a gas should pay.”Dow Chemicals senior official in the department leak from a Union Carbide claims that UCC is a separate said. Corp., or UCC, factory in legal entity and that it has not "We will have to submit Bhopal killed thousands of inherited UCC’s liabilities. updates on July 3 on the people, the Union law ministry Activists, however, say that progress of removal of the toxic has said that Dow Chemicals, Dow should be made liable for waste in the Madhya Pradesh which acquired UCC in 2001 the damages. “There is always High Court," the officials further and has big plans for India, will the threat that legal and moral said. have to pay for the toxic waste issues will be set aside for The NIDM, which comes clean-up in the affected area financial considerations such under the home ministry, and offer compensation “if as investments,” said Satinath however, said it had not been there is any legal liability”. Sarangi of the Bhopal Group approached yet. The Madhya Pradesh high for Information and Action. Professor Santosh Kumar of court is yet to give its verdict on Dow Chemicals plans to NIDM said while no one had a case on this. invest Rs300 crore to set up an 44

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster written so far to the institute, it liabilities and does not have liability issue, which by all was willing to help. responsibility for them." accounts is extremely knotty? Anil K Gupta, associate "We do have sympathy for There is no clarity on professor and programme the plight of those who are whether the Dow Chemicals- director (industrial chemical victims of the tragedy and the UCC deal had explicitly and environmental risk fact that the site has not been excluded liabilities arising out of management), NIDM, said cleaned up. The solution to this the gas disaster. For, if that be clearing the toxic chemical problem is in the hands of the so, Dow cannot be said to have waste would require a study of Central and state governments inherited UCC’s legal liabilities, the condition of the chemicals as the site is under the control which it ‘normally’ would have lying there followed by of the Madhya Pradesh to bear. Besides, the suspect remediation. government," Wheeler said. 1989 Supreme Court-endorsed The state government had Business Standard/ Delhi/ $470 million civil liabilities deal also written letters to eight 15/ 05/ 08 between the then government hazardous waste transporters and UCC has further and had spelt out terms and Don’t hold Bhopal complicated the issue. It would, conditions defined by central in such a scenario, be bad faith and state pollution control hostage for the UPA government to boards. continue to envisage The department has not THE Bhopal clean-up, for long remediation as being received any response from an essay in travesty, has now contingent on the definitive these firms. become a saga of criminal settling of the liability issue. It The toxic waste of Union callousness. The Union law should expeditiously clean up Carbide in Bhopal leaked from ministry was probably right the plant site, even as it seeks the factory on the intervening when it recently told the PMO through political and/or judicial night of December 2 and 3, that Dow Chemicals would means to settle the liability 1984, claiming thousands of normally have a legal liability to issue. To not do that on the lives. clean up the Union Carbide pretext that liability needs to be Half of the solid waste (total plant site — the source of the fixed first would perpetuate the of 376 tonnes) was to be land- 1984 methyl isocynate leak — tragedy and erode the shaky filled and the rest was to be on account of its acquisition of consensus for reform with incinerated at Bharuch Enviro Union Carbide Corporation which the UPA is so closely Infrastructure Ltd (BEIL) in (UCC). But the ‘unearthing’ of identified. Ankleshwar, Gujarat. such technical minutiae won’t The Economic Times/ Delhi/ The Gujarat Pollution spell much relief for the victims. 16/ 05/ 08 Control Board had recently Disputes centred on the refused to accept the toxic question of legal liability for the Bhopal victims protest waste. A number of NGOs, tragedy — which continues to which are fighting for the cause unfold with toxins at PM's house of gas victims, have demanded contaminating soil and water up that Dow Chemicals (which has to five kilometres from the plant Forty Bhopal gas tragedy acquired Union Carbide) should site — have held up crucial victims, including 15 children remove the toxic waste. remediation work. Such and 23 women, chained The law ministry has also taken wrangling smacks of criminal themselves to the fence around the same position that Dow cynicism. That is not to argue the Prime Minister's residence Chemicals is liable for removal the government should refrain on Race Course Road of the waste left behind by from figuring out on whom to demanding speedy resolution Union Carbide. pin the financial liability for of their demands. They are Dow Chemicals spokes - contamination of Bhopal’s demanding action against person Scot Wheeler said the ground water. That is, Union Carbide and Dow company's stand on legal doubtless, the responsibility of Chemicals and an empowered liability for cleaning up the the Indian state. But this is not commission for the environmental mess remains a task in itself. It flows from the rehabilitation of Bhopal victims. the same as before. state’s larger institutional role of Survivors of the 1984 Union "As Dow Chemicals never being the guarantor of its Carbide disaster from Bhopal owned or operated the former citizens’ life and liberty. have been on protest in New Bhopal plant site, our position Unfortunately, that has Delhi for the last 55 days. Their continues to be that this seemingly never been the first request for a meeting with situation is not Dow's concern of the Indian state. Or, the PM was sent in January. responsibility, accountability, or why else would successive Despite the long wait, they liability to bear. Contrary to governments have made the claimed that the PMO has claims made by some, Dow did remediation process contingent refused to give any ti meframe not inherit Union Carbide's on conclusively settling the for resolution of the 23-year old legacy. "Twenty-three years is 45

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster too long. This is a matter of our Jantar Mantar, where they have damage and soil and water lives and liberty and our been on a dharna for the past contamination was pending children's health. We are not two months. before the Madhya Pradesh prepared to wait. We will do The Centre would set up the High Court. The Department of .what it takes to ensure that the commission, subsuming the Chemical and Petrochemicals Prime Minister realizes that we, committees on various had filed an application not American corporations, are rehabilitation aspects requesting the court to direct his priority," said one of the constituted by the Supreme Dow Chemicals and associated victims. Court, the Centre, the Madhya companies to deposit Rs. 100 The Bhopal gas victims Pradesh government and the crore as advance for charged the Prime Minister with Madhya Pradesh High Court environmental remediation. being insensitive to the plight of and other courts. Further action would be taken the victims and their children. In “Also, the Madhya Pradesh according to the court decision. April 2006, the Prime Minister government is being asked to Protest will continue had met a delegation of victims prepare a detailed plan of Welcoming the and promised to do all within action for schemes for announcements, the Bhopal his power to rehabilitate them rehabilitation of the victims with Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery and everything within the legal estimates of the funds required. Karmachari Sangh, the Bhopal framework to hold the The Centre will examine this Gas Peedit Mahila Purush corporations to account. Two speedily and sympathetically Sangharsh Morcha and the years hence, even their once it is received,” Mr. Chavan Bhopal Group for Information simplest demand -of clean assured the protesters. and Action, however, said they water - remains unfulfilled, the The Centre also decided to would continue with their victims alleged. upgrade the Coordination protest as their demand for The Statesman/ Delhi/ Committee, set up in the legal action against Union 22/ 05/ 08 Department of Chemicals and Carbide and Dow Chemicals Petrochemicals and it would had not been addressed. Commission to now be chaired by the The Hindu/ Delhi/ 30/ 05/ 08 Secretary. rehabilitate Bhopal On the demand for provision Bhopal gas victims gas victims to be set of clean drinking water from begin hunger strike up unpolluted sources in 14 localities around the Union Nine activists, including Aarti Dhar Carbide plant, which was the source of the gas leak, Mr. survivors of the 1984 Bhopal Centre will take initiative soon gas disaster and victims of to work out modalities Chavan said the government had already sanctioned a water contamination, began a Committees on various hunger strike here on Tuesday. rehabilitation aspects will be project, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal The activists said the statement subsumed by Minister of State in the Drinking water from Kolar Mission at an estimated cost of Rs. 14.18 crore, to the Bhopal Prime Minister’s Office reservoir for localities around Prithviraj Chavan on the setting Carbide plant by year-end Municipal Corporation. This was to provide safe drinking up of an empowered The Centre has agreed “in commission for rehabilitation principle” to set up an water through pipelines from the Kolar Reservoir to localities made no mention of its powers; empowered commission to nor did he specify any time rehabilitate the survivors and around the Union Carbide plant. “The work is likely to be frame for submission of its victims of the Bhopal gas leak recommendations. that happened 23 years ago. completed by the year -end and the Centre will also monitor the Also, the statement was It is in “in principle agreement silent on the issue of legal with the deman d for a specially progress.” The Health Ministry would action against Union Carbide empowered commission to and Dow Chemicals. carry out medical, economic, be asked to continue research, through the Indian Council of Thousands of people died social and environmental as methyl isocyanate gas rehabilitation of the victims and Medical Research, on the adverse effects of the gas leak leaked from the Union Carbide would soon take the initiative to plant in the Madhya Pradesh work out the modalities,” on the health of the surviving victims and their descendants. capital in December 1984. Minister of State in the Prime Union Carbide and Dow Minister’s Office Prithviraj Mr. Chavan said the protesters’ demand for taking legal action Chemicals have s ince merged. Chavan said in a statement he activists are from the here on Thursday. against Dow Chemicals — this company and Union Carbide Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila He read it out, on behalf of Stationery Karmachari Sangh, the Prime Minister, when he have since merged — for environmental and health the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila met the survivors and victims at Purush Sangharsh Morcha and 46

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster the Bhopal Group for environmental remediation,” or the polluter— should not Information and Action. which includes the clean-up. occupy the court’s time for too On Monday, the police arrested • The next year, after reports long if it takes up the matter in several activists who tried to that Sevin tar — the pesticide right earnest,” said Satinath hold a demonstration outside that Union Carbide Sara ngi of the Sambhawna the Prime Minister’s Office. manufactured — was leaking Trust who is now on a hunger The Hindu/ Delhi/ 11/ 06/ 08 from one of the storage tanks, strike in Delhi pressing for the Madhya Pradesh cleanup. 25 years on, Govt government collected 386 The storage tanks that once tonnes of waste in sacks and upon a time contained wakes up to Bhopal barrels which were then stored pesticide, gas chambers and waste but can’t find in a concrete godown in one pipes, lie rusting. Experts any one to clean it up corner of the factory site. believe that most of the • Of this, 346 tonnes were contaminants have leaked into Sonu Jain proposed to be incinerated at a the ground. No study has been 386 tonnes were collected and private firm, Bharuch Environ done so far to gauge the level stored in 2005 but no response Infrastructure, in Ankleshwar, of contamination. The task to tenders; no estimate of total Gujarat. The remaining 40 force has now proposed that waste so far tonnes were to be taken to a the Indian Institute of Chemical Who will clean up the waste secure landfill at Pithampur in Technology and National lying at the site of the Bhopal the state’s Dhar district. Environment Engineering gas disaster? And when? • But in April, the Gujarat Research Institute (NEERI) Months before the 25th government withdrew give a proposal to the MP state anniversary of what is known permission given to transport governm ent for providing as the world’s worst industrial the waste to Ankleshwar after a consultancy in “detoxification, disaster, the clean -up at the 67- fire at Bharuch Infrastructure’s dismantling and acre factory site has become a toxic waste treatment and decommissioning of the plant.” buck passed from one state to storage facility. “There is a need to find out another, one agency to • Meanwhile, for a year, no one the impact of wind, rain and another. No one has even put responded to tenders for theft at the factory site before an exact number to the amount transporting the waste to the environmental remediation of waste, its chemical Ankleshwar and Dhar. The MP plan is made. Once these composition and what effect it government wrote letters to studies are done, we will be has had on the ground. eight hazardous-waste able to demolish and treat the For years, the state transporters specifying terms whole structure,” said S P government and the Centre defined by Central and state Gautam, chairman of the had a fig leaf: the waste should pollution control boards. Only Madhya Pradesh Pollution lie untouched awaiting the long- last month, a firm responded Control Board and member of drawn legal battle that’s but its application is still being the task force. currently on to figure out processed. There is a proposal by Ratan whether it’s Dow’s liability. Dow • The task force has met 13 Tata for an industry-led effort of Chemicals bought Union times and at its last meeting in remediation of the site of Carbide in 2001 and denies May, the committee asked the Bhopal gas leak. The any legal liability in dealing with government to finalise the Department of Economic the waste. clean-up of the 386 tonnes in a Affairs has given its view that But at a meeting of officials month’s time. And urged the the government should take up from Madhya Pradesh and the Madhya Pradesh government the offer. On the other hand, Centre on June 3, Prime to get Gujarat to co-operate. the Ministry of Chemicals has Minister Manmohan Singh But the 386 tonnes is just said that Dow should be made expressed concern over the scratching the surface. “This is to pay Rs 100 crore for the waste and directed the state a red herring. The real threat is clean-up. This issue is pending government to “expedite the the 10,000 tonnes of waste with a Group of Ministers led by process.” buried in and around the Arjun Singh. factory. No urgency has been Meanwhile, the state That’s easier said than done. shown in tackling these wastes government blames the Centre. • In 2004, the Madhya Pradesh for the last 25 years. For this, a “The Central government is High Court ordered the comprehensive study of depth solely responsible for the constitution of a task force and spread of contaminants is Bhopal gas victims after the under the chairmanship of the first step. Resolving liability Indian Disaster Act 1984. The Secretary, Department of issues and the remediation state government has put Chemical and Petrochemicals, exercise can proceed forward a Rs 982-crore action to monitor “overall simultaneously. The question of plan which includes who should pay — the taxpayer environmental remediation. The

47

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Central government should survivors and their more than two decades, they provide the funds,” said Babu representatives for an have seeped into the soil and Lal Gaur, Minister for Bhopal appointment with the PM have water, except in desultory Gas relief department. met with silence from the PMO. checks by a state The Indian Express/ Delhi/ "Getting a list of people that the environmental agency, which 15/ 06/ 08 PM actually had the time to turned up pesticide residues in meet is critical to understanding the neighborhood wells far Bhopal survivors say where we stand in Dr Singh’s exceeding permissible levels. scheme of things. But this list Nor has anyone bothered to RTI applications has been denied to us," said Mr address the concerns of those stonewalled Sarangi. who have drunk that water and Having failed to hear from tended kitchen gardens on this Sonal Kellogg the PMO in the stipulated time, soil and who now pres ent Bhopal gas tragedy survivors which is June 18, Mr Sarangi ailments from cleft palates to on an indefinite fast accused filed a complaint with the mental retardation among their the Prime Minister’s Office of Central Information children as evidence of a stonewalling the Right to Commission on June 20 second generation of Bhopal Information requests filed by highlighting an earlier CIC victims, though it is impossible representatives of Bhopal decision that rules that hunger to say with any certainty what is victims for a malafide purpose strikes, despite being a the source of the afflictions. on Tuesday. voluntary act, constitute a Why it has taken so long to At least three complaints threat to life and liberty. deal with the disaster is an epic are pending with the Central A urinalysis done on tale of the ineffectiveness and Information Commission samples taken from the nine seeming apathy of India's against a range of violations by hunger strikers on 22 June bureaucracy and of the the public information officer of revealed the presence of government's failure to make the Prime Minister’s Office said moderate to high levels of the factory owners do anything Satinath Sarangi of the Bhopal ketones in five samples. "The about the mess they left. But group for Information and presence of ketones is the question of who will pay for Action. worrisome as it is indicative of the cleanup of the 11-acre site The complaints blame the an advanced state of fasting has assumed new urgency in a highest executive office in the and shows that the body is country that today is country of fraudulently undergoing starvation," said Dr. increasingly keen to attract removing important sections Rakhal Gaitonde, a public foreign investment. from files given for inspection, health specialist with It was here that on Dec. 3, delaying the provision of Bangalore-based Community 1984, a tank inside the factory requested photocopies and for Health Cell. released 40 tons of methyl disregarding the claim for An earlier request filed on April isocyanate gas, killing those information within two days 16, also for inspection invoking who inhaled it while they slept. under the Life and Liberty the life and liberty clause, got a At the time, it was called the clause without providing any response only on May 9. world's worst industrial reasons for denial. The Asian Age/ Delhi/ accident. At least 3,000 people An RTI application filed 25/ 06/ 08 were killed immediately. invoking the Life and Liberty Thousands more may have clause by Satinath Sarangi on 25 years later, toxic died later from the aftereffects, June 13 — the 4th day of an sludge torments though the exact death toll indefinite hunger strike remains unclear. undertaken by nine Bhopal Bhopal More than 500,000 people activists — has not elicited any were declared to be affected by response till date despite the Somini Sengupta the gas and awarded strikers being on fast for 15 Hundreds of tons of waste still compensation, an average of days. The application sought a languish inside a tin-roofed $550. Some victims say they time to inspect Bhopal-related warehouse in a corner of the have yet to receive any money. files in the PMO, and has old grounds of the Union Efforts to extradite Warren sought a copy of the register Carbide pesticide factory here, Anderson, the chief containing the identities of nearly a quarter-century after a executive of Union Carbide at persons who met the Prime poison gas leak killed the time, from the United States Minister since February 20, thousands and turned this continue, though apparently when 50 Bhopalis set off on ancient city into a notorious with little energy behind them. their epic 800-km march to symbol of industrial disaster. Advocates for those who live New Delhi. The toxic remains have yet to near the site continue to hound Repeated requests since be carted away. No one has the company and their January 2008 by Bhopal examined to what extent, over government. They chain

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster themselves to the prime taken place behind closed Just beyond the factory wall is minister's residence one day doors were it not for a series of a blue-black open pit. Once the and dog shareholder meetings public information requests by repository of chemical sludge on another, refusing to let advocates for Bhopal residents from the pesticide plant, it is Bhopal become the tragedy that turned up revealing now a pond where slum that India forgot. They insist government correspondence. children and dogs dive on hot that Dow Chemical Company, It showed that one arm of afternoons. Its banks are an which bought Union Carbide in the government, the Chemicals open toilet. In the rainy season, 2001, also bought its liabilities and Petrochemicals Ministry, it overflows through the slum's and should pay for the cleanup. entrusted with the cleanup of muddy alleys. "Had the toxic waste been the site, has wanted Dow to put The slum rose up shortly cleaned up, the contaminated down a $25 million deposit after the gas leak. Poor people groundwater would not have toward the cost of remediation, flocked here, seeking cheap happened," says Mira Shiva, a while other senior officials land, and put up homes right up doctor who heads the Voluntary warned that forcing Dow's hand to the edge of the sludge pond. Health Association, one of could endanger future Once, the pond was sealed many groups pressing for Dow investments in the country. with concrete and plastic. But in to take responsibility for the A senior government official, the searing heat, the concrete cleanup. "Dow was the first prohibited from speaking cover eventually collapsed. crime. The second crime was publicly on such a contentious The first tests of government negligence." issue, described the quandary. groundwater began, Dow, based in Michigan, "Do you want $1 billion in inexplicably, 12 years after the says it bears no responsibility investment, or do you want this gas leak. The state pollution to clean up a mess it did not sticky situation to continue?" control board turned up traces make. "As there was never any the official said, calling it a of pesticides, including ownership, there is no "stalemate." endosulfan, lindane, responsibility and no liability — The government is expected trichlorobenzene and DDT. Soil for the Bhopal tragedy or its to make a final decision later sediments were not tested. The aftermath," Scot Wheeler, a this year. water was never compared with company spokesman, said in Beyond who will pay for the water in other city an e -mail message. cleanup here, the question is neighborhoods. The pollution Whe eler pointed out that the why 425 tons of hazardous board saw no cause for alarm. former factory property, along waste — some local advocates Nevertheless, in 2004, with the waste it contained, had allege there is a great deal complaints from area residents been turned over to the more, buried in the factory led the Supreme Court to order Madhya Pradesh State grounds — remain here 24 the state to supply clean government in June 1998, and years after the leak? drinking water to the people that "for whatever reason most There are many answers. living around the factory. By of us do not know or fully The company was allowed to then, nearly 20 years had gone understand, the site remains dump the land on the by. unremediated." government before it was "It is a scandal that the He went on to say that Dow cleaned up. Lawsuits by hazardous wastes left behind could not finance remediation advocacy groups are still by Union Carbide unattended efforts, even if it wanted to, winding their way through the for 20 years have now migrated because it could potentially courts. And a network of often below ground and open up the company to lethargic, seemingly apathetic contaminated the groundwater potential further liabilities. government agencies do not below the factory and in its In a letter to the Indian always coordinate with one neighborhood," wrote Claude ambassador to the United another. Alvares, a monitor for India's States in 2006, the Dow The result is a wasteland in Supreme Court, who visited chairman, Andrew Liveris, the city's heart. The old factory here in March 2005. sought assurance from the grounds, frozen in time, are an He tasted the water from an government that it would not be overgrown 11 -acre forest of area well. "I had to spit out held liable for the mess on the corroded tanks and pipes everything," he wrote in his old factory site, "in your efforts buzzing with cicadas, where report. The water "had an to ensure that we have the cattle graze and women forage appalling chemical taste." appropriate investment for twigs to cook their evening Neighborhood women brought climate." meal. out their utensils to show how The claims have divided the Since the disaster, ill- the water had corroded them. government itself. It is now in considered decisions on the As his report went on to point the throes of a debate over who part of local residents have only out, the government was long will pay — a debate that might compounded the problems and ago made aware of the have heightened their health risks. likelihood of contamination. A

49

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster government research center years. He said it had not Court was seized of the matter warned more than 10 years occurred to him that the water and that it had been informed ago that, if left untreated, the could be laced with pesticides. of Gujarat’s refusal via an toxic residue on the factory "We knew the gas incident took affidavit submitted earlier this grounds would seep into the place," he said. "We never week. soil and water. thought the contaminated water Gujarat’s has refused to Around the same time, would come all the way to our dispose of the 350 tonnes of under public pressure, state house." the waste by incineration at authorities finally scooped up The stories repeat themselves Ankleshwar in the state. The the toxic waste that had lain in in the nearby slums. In Blue waste, lying on the plant clumps around the factory Moon, Muskan, a 2-year-old premises since 1984, is a grounds, and stored it inside girl, cannot walk, speak or virtual store house of deadly the tin-roofed warehouse. The understand what is happening chemicals. The detrimental warehouse was padlocked only around her. Her father, Anwar, effects of these chemicals on about four years ago. blames the water. human body can cause cancer, The waste was supposed to In Arif Nagar, Nawab and damage liver, kidneys and be taken to an incinerator in Hassan Mian, brothers who are lungs and many diseases. neighboring Gujarat, but the 8 and 12, move through their In the intervening years, the government has yet to find a house like newly hatched birds, waste has seeped into the contractor willing to pa ck it into barely able to stand. They have earth contaminating ground small, transportable parcels. no control over their muscles. water in an area of over 10 sq There have been delays in Their mother, Fareeda Bi, is km. The area is heavily acquiring transport permits, too, unsure of exactly what caused populated and does not have with citizens groups raising new their ailment, but she, too, piped water supply. Though the questions about the hazards of blames the water. government agencies have transporting the waste. "There are more children like sealed a dozen-odd hand Ajay Vishoni, the state gas this in the neighborhood," she pumps after a report by and health minister, said he said, "who cannot walk, who “NEERI”, Nagpur, saying that was confident that none of the cannot see." the water samples contained waste was hazardous anymore, To compound the tragedy, heavy metals and carcinogens, nor had anyone proved to his there is no way to know to what others continue to be used by satisfaction that it had ever extent the water is to blame. the more than 25,000 people, caused the contamination of The government suspended who live in 14 colonies around the groundwater. "There is long -term public health studies the factory. hype," he said. many years ago. In May 2004, the Supreme In 2005, a state-financed International Herald Tribune/ Court passed an order saying study called for long-term 03/ 07/ 08 that the settlements around the epidemiological studies to Union Carbide factory should determine the impact of Bhopal Tragedy: Now, start getting clean drinking contaminated drinking water, water before the onset of concluding that while the levels Gujarat refuses to monsoons. But till date, only 30 of toxic contaminants were not dispose of chemical per cent of work on the project very high, water and soil waste has been completed. Legally contamination had caused an and morally, the Union Carbide increase in respiratory and Amrish Herdenia and after its take-over by “Dow gastrointestinal ailments. Gujarat’s turnaround at the Chemicals”- the latter- is In the Shiv Nagar slum about 11th hour has once again responsible for safe disposal of half a mile from the factory, dashed the hopes of Bhopal the waste But beyond filing an there is a boy, Akash, who was getting rid of the 390 metric application in the MP High born with an empty socket for a tonnes of toxic chemical waste Court asking the court to direct left eye. Now 6, he cannot see lying on the premises of the Dow Chemicals to pay Rs 100 properly or speak. He is a now defunct pesticide plant of crore as advance for the clean cheerful child who plays in the the Union Carbide here for the up, the government has done lanes near his house. past 24 years. In a letter to the nothing to force the company to His father, Shobha Ram, a Madhya Pradesh chief clean up the mess. maker of sweets who bought secretary, the Gujarat Pollution The high court, which has land here many years after the Control Board has made it clear been hearing a PIL on the gas leak and built himself a that the “waste would not be matter since 2004, has also two-room house, said the boy's allowed to cross the border of explored various possibilities. afflictions were caused by the Gujarat”. Initially, it asked the state hand-pumped well from where The MP government has government to contact the his family drew water on the washed its hands off the entire “Nuclear, Chemical and edge of the sludge pond for issue saying that the MP High 50

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Biological warfare cell” in the demand the compensation BEIL equipped to Defence Ministry. amount from the company. The Defence ministry Dow has been refusing to dispose Bhopal refused to take up the job and accept responsibility. waste: Rajju Shroff suggested that the “National However, the end of the Institute of Disaster agitation, being carried out from “Environmentalists are ruining Management” would be a more New Delhi, will hardly be the India’s progress by creating a appropriate agency. end of troubles for Dow scare about the toxicity of the Ultimately, after protracted Chemicals as most agitating Bhopal gas tragedy waste. The arguments and after taking the groups will now put their weight Bharuch Enviro Infrastructure consent of all concerned behind a Dow Quit India Ltd’s (BEIL) waste disposal parties, the MP High Court in agitation, to be launched from facility at Ankleshwar has the May this year, ordered that 40 Pune on August 9. Dow’s R&D required capacity to safely MTs of the waste be centre in a village in Chakan, dispose this waste, and we are transported to Pithampur in the Pune, was recently razed by ready to dispose it for free,” Dhar district of MP to be Warkaris, the devotees of Sant says chairman BEIL, Rajju consigned to landfills while the Tukaram. Shroff. remaining 350 MTs be The sect, which has Shroff alleged that some incinerated at Ankleshwar in thousands of followers in NGOs are simply creating a Gujarat. The Gujarat Maharashtra, owned up to the scareand that the state government consented to the offence and has vowed to oust government had revoked the plan. Dow from Pune. The agitation, permission given to dispose the But the plan faced its first beginning in Pune, will have waste at BEIL only on hurdle in April when the 100,000 Warkaris joining on the submissions made by them. He company that had been given first day, says Sarangi. Dow said he too has letters from the contract for transporting the Chemicals continues to various organizations stating waste to Pithampur and maintain that it is being that they have no problems if Ankleshwar, backed out at the targeted for no reason. the waste is disposed at BEIL last moment. And now has “For 16 years, the National facility. “Many NGOs have come Gujarat’s refusal to play Chemical Laboratory has been written letters to the Gujarat its role in the operation. functioning in Pune and that government and to Central The Tribune/ Delhi/ 02/ 08/ 08 was what prompted Dow to set Pollution Control Board, stating up its R&D centre in Pune. It is that they are fully satisfied with Bhopal gas victims, unfortunate that the villagers the working of BEIL,” Shroff are being misled,” said a said. govt call truce spokesperson for the company. Speaking to TOI Shroff Business Standard/ Delhi/ said, “Our Ankleshwar facility The Centre today reached an 08/ 08/ 08 disposes about 60 tons of all agreement with those types of hazardous waste daily. protesting for medical relief for Bhopal gas survivors Some of it much m ore toxic and the Bhopal gas tragedy victims complicatedthan the waste and environmental recovery of end dharna lying in Bhopal. NEERI, IICT of the site of the Union Carbide Hyderabad and DRDO plant from where th e gas leak Bhopal gas leak survivors (Defense Research had occurred in 1984. ended their four-month -long Organization) have tested the The organisations dharna here on Friday after the samples of the waste and the representing the victims today Centre formally announced the samples were found to be safe announced that they would call setting up of an Empowered for disposal.” off their three -month-old Commission and promised About the amount of waste agitation tomorrow. This was legal action on the civil and stored at the facility, Shroff after the government agreed to criminal liabilities of Union said, “If a member has more form an autonomous Carbide and Dow Chemicals. hazardous waste than commission to take care of Thousands of people died permitted as per norms, medical, social and when a toxic gas leaked out of Gujarat Pollution Control Board environmental grievances of the Union Carbide plant in the will issue closure notices. We the victims as well as the Madhya Pradesh capital in therefore have to adjust and contamination of ground water December 1984. The company accept the additional waste. by the toxic waste that has has since merged with Dow We do not want small units to been dumped at the site. Chemicals. close down or illegally dump Union Minister of Chemicals The Hindu/ Delhi/ 09/ 08/ 08 the waste anywhere. According and Fertilisers Ram Vilas to the guidelines of CPCB any Paswan will tomorrow incinerator can store upto 2 announce the government’s years.” willingness to continue to 51

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster The Times of India/ representing the Bhopal gas blindness, extreme difficulty in Ahmedabad/ 14/ 09/ 08 victims, said the judgment breathing, and gynecological would enable them to conduct disorders. The site has never US court reinstates a detailed study on the role of been properly cleaned up and it the Union Carbide in the continues to poison the Bhopal gas case contamination of groundwater residents of Bhopal. In 1999, in Bhopal. local groundwater and well Lalit K.Jha Mr Sharma said the lawsuit water testing near the site of The lawsuit was filed in 2004 is seeking cleanup, monitoring, the accident revealed mercury by a group of people who live in and damages for personal at higher levels. Cancer and the vicin- ity of the pesticide injury caused to about 20,000 brain-damage- and birth-defect - plant in Bhopal individuals along with property causing chemicals were found A New York court has damages. The company, now in the water; trichloroethylene, reinstated a case filed against owned by Dow Chemicals, had a chemical that has been Union Carbide by residents of paid a compensation of $470 shown to impair fetal Bhopal who claim to have million in 1989. development, was found at suffered serious health In a statement, Union levels 50 times higher than problems due to a gas leak Carbide claimed Monday’s EPA safety limits from the company’s plant in judgment should not be his disaster is termed as 1984, rated the world’s worst interpreted as a ruling on the one of the biggest calamities industrial disaster. merits of the case and said the which resulted in many On the night of December 2- claims would be ultimately causalties. 3, 1984, a Union Carbide dismissed. This industrial disaster could pesticide plant in Bhopal “The second circuit did not have been prevented by spewed tonnes of poisonous discuss the merits of the case providing proper and adequate methyl isocyanate gas, killing or the merits of the trial judge’s provision of periodic revision of some 3,000 people instantly ruling of dismissal and its the system checking. The and many more later. decision should not be unfortunate part in our system The lawsuit was filed in 2004 interpreted as a ruling on the is that there are no proper by a group of people who live in merits,” the statement said. measures made available for the vicinity of the pesticide The Asian Age/ Delhi/ checking of the system with plant in Bhopal. 05/ 11/ 08 defined periodicity. All They claim they suffered mechanical, electrical and serious health problems due to Bhopal disaster -an electronic systems devices can soil and water contamination in misbehave at the point of time the area by the leakage of toxic eye opener to units until unless which is gas from the plant run by Union periodically checked and Carbide. The 1984 gas leak in Bhopal, monitored. The case was previously was a terrible tragedy that No doubt the Government dismissed by a trial court in understandably continues to has introduced the disaster 2006 and 2007. Reinstating the evoke strong emotions even 24 management bill 2005 on 8th case, the US second-circuit years later. May 2005. Also the court of appeals (Manhattan) On 3rd December 1984, Government has decided to on Monday said the lower poison gas leaked from a Union enact a law on disaster courts did not give the plaintiff Carbide factory, killing management for requisite enough notice to respond to thousands. institutional mechanism. This Union Carbide’s bid to dismiss On the fateful night the disaster management will also the cas e. Union Carbide India plant in provide for setting up of “We view this as a close Bhopal began leaking 27 tons national disaster management case,” US circuit judge Robert of the deadly methyl isocyanate authority under the D. Sack said. “But we think gas. None of the six safety chairmanship of Prime Minister there is a reasonable likelihood systems designed to contain and the State disaster that, in light of the peculiarly such a leak were operational, management authorities under difficult procedural history of allowing the gas to spread the chairmanship of the Chief this and related litigation, the throughout the city of Bhopal. Minister. He will also provide plaintiffs were not aware that Half a million people were for concerned Minister or the they were in danger of an exposed to the gas and many department to draw up adverse grant of summary have died to date as a result of department wise plan in judgment based on the their exposure. A large number accordance with the national submissions prior to the district of people continue to suffer disaster management plan. court’s order converting the from ailments caused by the These are definitely one of the motion and then deciding it.” accident and the subsequent best management system and Welcoming the court’s decision, pollution at the plant site. enforcing law, but with all these H. Rajan Sharma, the attorney These ailments include 52

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster we still face many issues on breathing in fire. My eyes were Dow Chemicals, which now disaster management which burning. owns the firm. remain unresolved. We find a Another survivor, Champa Adinath Jain Trust is holding better solution to make this Devi Shukla, remembers that "It a five-day camp to distribute system more effective is the felt like somebody had filled our Jaipur foots, prosthetic limbs, localized management with bodies up with red chillies, our crutches and walkers free of authorities and responsibilities. eyes tears coming out, noses cost to disabled people across The solution to this is that the were watering, we had froth in the State. Government can also our mouths. The coughing was The camp is sponsored by recognize professional so bad that people were Dow, as part of its corporate institutions and NGOs to co- writhing in pain. Somebody was social responsibiity initiative, on ordinate for an effective running this way and somebody behalf of Bhagwan Mahaveer implementation of the system. was running that way, some Viklang Sahayata Samiti, a The Institute of Industrial people were just running in Jaipur-based NGO. Management which is one of their underclothes. People were On Tuesday, the Bhopal the professional establishments only concerned as to how they children, accompanied by local has decided to formalize a would save their lives so they kids, met Mohan Jain, Responsible Emergency just ran. hononary secretary of the trust, System Care Unit. This is the "The poison cloud was so at the camp. first institute in the country dense and searing that people A scene ensued when Jain recognized by IGNOU for were reduced to near insisted on deletion of pictures developing qualified safety blindness. As they gasped for taken by the photographer of officers for industries. The breath its effects grew ever this newspaper of the Bhopal degree PGDM (ISHE) is more suffocating. The gases children meeting him. (He awarded by IGNOU. burned the tissues of their eyes perhaps did not notice a Responsible Emergency and lungs and attacked their volunteer who was with the System Care Management Unit nervous system. People lost children and shot photographs - will be one of the voluntary control of their bodies. Urine which we carry here on the sly). organizations with the support and feces ran down their legs. Jain also said he did not want of industries and institutions in Women lost their unborn any mention of the incident in Bhopal to create a platform of children as they ran, their the newspaper. technical experts to advise and wombs spontaneously opening The children, alternately develop disaster management in bloody abortion." According arguing and appealing, plan. to Rashida Bi, a survivor who submitted a letter and showed A number of important lost five gas-exposed family Jain a scrapbook of measures will be taken up by members to cancer, those who photographs of survivors who this professional body which escaped with their lives" are the 24 years after the tragedy were will add value to the institution unlucky ones; the lucky ones still suffering from the a ftermath and industries. The RESCU are those who died on that of the disaster. esta blished by IIMSHE will night." “We appeal to you not make a District level survey at Since the disaster, survivors associate with a company that the first instant and may lead to have been plagued with an has still not provided justice to other districts of MP later. The epidemic of cancer, menstrual the thousands affected in members are industries and disorders and what one doctor Bhopal,” said Meera Morey, a institutions established in described as "monstrous 28-year -old whose father died Bhopal with the support of births." after battling years of illness Government Officials. We are Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ following the gas leak. sure that this new venture of 04/ 12/ 08 Jain asked for government establishing RESCU will reports and medical studies definitely prove to be a Dump Dow, Bhopal supporting their claim. Shwetha breakthrough in the country of Narayan of International professional support to kids tell NGO Campaign for Justice in Bhopal Government system. promised to provide him with Remembers Aziza Sultan, a Zubeda Hamid both. survivor: "At about 12.30 am I We appeal to you not associate Eight-year-old Suraj is less woke to the sound of my baby with a company that has still than three feet tall. He cannot coughing badly. In the half light not provided justice to the walk or eat on his own and is I saw that the room was filled thousands affected in Bhopal mentally challenged as well. with a white cloud. I heard a lot A group of children from His mother has brought him of people shouting. They were Bhopal, suffering from here to consult Vidya Sagar, an shouting 'run, run'. Then I disablities caused gas leak NGO that works with physically started coughing with each from Union Carbide in 1984, challenged children. breath seeming as if I was have appealed to a private trust here to disassociate itself from 53

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Meera’s seven siblings suffer from debilitating lung disease and other illnesses. Her father was working as a road worker in front of the company when the gas leak occurred. Jain said that if the reports were convincing, he would stop his association with Dow Chemicals. “This is the first time we have collaborated with them,” he said. The New Indian Express/ Chennai/ 17/ 12/ 08

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster BHOPAL GAS DISASTER [ JANUARY - DECEMBER, 2009]

SC asks Centre, The order of the High Court, for social, economical and States to help dispose which had also threatened to medical rehabilitation for initiate contempt proceedings Bhopal gas tragedy victims. Union Carbide waste against those who objected to Gaur, who met the Union disposal of the toxic waste at Human Resources The Supreme Court on Monday Ankleshwar, had come on a Development Minister and the directed the Centre and petition by a social activist Chairman of Group of Ministers Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat seeking direction for safe (GoM) for gas tragedy Governments to resolve the disposal of the waste. The rehabilitation Arjun Singh in issue relating to disposal of Gujarat Government had New Delhi today, said the state around 350 metric tonnes of objected to the disposal of the government had not received hazardous toxic waste from the waste at Ankleshwar citing any rehab package for Bhopal now-defunct Union Carbide opposition from local social gas victims since July, 1999 India Ltd’s plant in Bhopal. activists. and the state government was The uncertainty over the Gujarat counsel Ashok trying to provide aid to the fate of the toxic waste has been Desai argued that the victims with its limited prevailing for more than two transportation of such a huge resources. decades. The waste is quantity of toxic waste and its Gaur, a former Madhya allegedly caus ing air, soil and disposal in the incinerator might Pradesh chief minister, said the water pollution as it is lying at expose the people to GoM prepared an action plan of the plant of the Union Carbide hazardous toxic gases. Rs 985.75 during a meeting on India Ltd (now Dow Chemicals) Instead of transporting the June 11, 2008 and decided to for the last 24 years. waste over a long distance up send the proposal to Planning A Bench headed by Chief to Ankleshwar in south Gujarat, Commission for approval. He Justice KG Balakrishnan asked the toxic waste could be urged Singh to take initiative to the Ministry of Chemicals and disposed at a newly-developed get sanctioned the proposed Fertilisers to decide the issue site in MP itself, he said, adding funds after its approval from the with the other two States and the incinerator set up near Planning Commission at the inform the court about the final Indore in MP would be earliest. decision on February 20, the operational in February 2009. Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ next date of hearing. Drawing attention to the 22/ 01/ 09 The Union Carbide plant at massive exposure of residents Bhopal is the site of one of the near the Union Carbide plant to Bhopal gas tragedy: largest industrial disasters toxic dust during the packaging (Bhopal gas tragedy) in the of the waste in June 2005, the survivors seek world. More than 17,000 people activists had expressed heritage status for site had died due to release of 42 apprehension that the Bhopal tonnes of toxic methyle residents and those on the Raghve ndra Rao isocyanate on December 3, route of the trucks carrying the Twenty-four years after the 1984. waste would once again suffer leakage of methyl isocynate The issue has reached the health hazards. gas from the Union Carbide apex court in an appeal filed by However, the Central factory killed over 10,000 the Gujarat Government Government informed the apex people, UNESCO is all set to challenging the Madhya court bench that there was no forward to the Government of Pradesh High Court’s order that objection from the Government India a representation from the cleared the transportation of or the Central Pollution Control survivors of the tragedy who several tonnes of toxic waste Board for disposing of the toxic have sought its intervention to from Bhopal plant to waste in Ankaleshwar. protect, decontaminate, repair, Ankleshwar in Gujarat by the The Pioneer/ Delhi/ 20/ 01/ 09 and restore the plant structure end of January 2009. at the factory site as an The High Court while setting Gaur urges Centre to industrial World Heritage on the aside objections raised by the lines the Hiroshima Peace Gujarat Government and the sanction funds for Memorial and the Auswitz and Gujarat Pollution Control Board gas victims Buchenwald concentration (GPCB) had directed the camps, in order to preserve the authorities to carry the toxic Madhya Pradesh Gas Tragedy site as a physical reminder of waste to Ankleshwar for Relief and Rehabilitation the tragedy. disposal in the incinerator of Minister Babulal Gaur today In a petition submitted to the Bharuch Eviro Infrastructure urged the Centre to sanction UNESCO’s Representative to Ltd. the proposed Rs 985.75 crore India, Minja Yang, members of 55

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster five organisations, comprising 25 yrs later, study on According to ICMR’s call for survivors of the tragedy, have research proposals on the underlined the criticality of Bhopal fallout “long-term effect(s ) of MIC gas, preserving the “memory of the if any, on the Bhopal population Union Carbide disaster in CMR To Look Into Effects After either exposed or affected in Bhopal for realising the 25,000 Fall Prey To Gas Leak- December 1984”, separate possibility of a world free of Related Ailments studies will be conducted to disasters” and have sought see whether the toxic gases inclusion in the list of World Kounteya Sinha caused genetic disorders, low Heritage monuments in the Indian scientists are all set to birth weight, growth and Additional Cultural category as take a relook at one of the development disorders, a Modern Industrial Heritage country’s worst industrial congenital malformation and disasters — the Bhopal gas site. biological markers of MIC/toxic “The plant structures are the tragedy of 1984. gas exposure. According to physical heart of this movement Twenty-five years after the ICMR, the project will have to Union Carbide plant spewed 42 to preserve the memory and be based on clinical and lessons of the tragedy for future tonnes of toxic methyl epidemiological findings in the generations. We believe that isocyanate (MIC) gas into the aftermath of the Bhopal gas air, exposing more than the structures of the Methyl disaster. Every investigation Isocynate (MIC) and Sevin 500,000 people, India’s premier will have to include information plants and few remaining medical research body — about affected and unaffected Indian Council of Medical structures are, in the likeness exposees. Other issues like of the remains of the Research (ICMR) — has retardation of genitalia and concentration camps at Auswitz decided to investigate the long- reproductive functions will also and Buchenwald, of term health effects of the be assessed. tremendous educative value for disaster. “In the aftermath of the future generations across the According to some disaster, some felt it could world and therefore, must be estimates, 25,000 people have cause chromosomal preserved,” the petition states. died of gas -related diseases. abnormalities. This has to be The Indian Express/ Delhi/ Several thousands were substantiated by a trans- 28/ 02/ 09 maimed for life. generational chromosomal Calling it “an unfinished study among exposees and story that requires an urgent Three killed in a steel unaffected population of relook”, secretary of the newly Bhopal,” an ICMR official said. plant in Orissa formed Department of Health According to scientists, there Research (DHR) and director has been no official study of the general of ICMR Dr V M Katoch At least three people were long-term effects of the gas killed after inhaling poisonous told TOI that proposals had leak. carbon monoxide gas in a been invited from the country’s The Times of India/ Delhi/ scientific fraternity to restudy sponge iron factory in Orissa's 06/ 03/ 09 what is considered one of the Jharsuguda district, police said Friday. world’s worst industrial The deaths occurred at the disasters. Dr Katoch told TOI, Stalemate over Bhopal Singhal Enterprises Private Ltd. “Scientists, NGOs and the waste disposal factory at Hirma, some 400 km community at large felt that the from here, at around 8 p.m. aftermath of the Bhopal gas Tannu Sharma Thursday. tragedy needed to be studied in Centre wants it to be Inspector in charge of the detail. They asked us to see incinerated at Ankleshwar, local police station P.K. Rout whether the toxic waste posed Gujarat says already a huge told IANS on phone that the a threat to people even now backlog three men aged between 22 to and whether people were still A case between the Gujarat 25 years had gone to wash a suffering from its effects.” and Madhya Pradesh chamber used to cool hot He added, “Since ICMR governments pending before sponge iron and got trapped does not have the manpower to the Supreme Court over inside. They died of suffocation revisit the horror single disposal of nearly 350 metric after inhaling carbon monoxide. handedly, we decided to invite tonnes of toxic waste lying at The New Indian Express/ proposals from scientists the now defunct Union Carbide Bhubaneswar/ 06/ 02/ 09 across the country who were India Ltd (UCIL) -- now Dow willing to conduct detailed Chemicals -- plant in Bhopal for research to see whether the over 24 years seems far from gas leak had long-term health being settled. effects on people. ICMR will Last week, the Centre fund the proposals which are submitted before an apex court finally selected.” bench headed by Chief Justice 56

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster K G Balakrishnan that the but to drink,'' said Satinath support for a fresh waste must be incinerated at Sarangi, who led the congressional hearing, which Ankleshwar in Gujarat where it delegation, at a press could summon Dow Chemical's would barely take a week's conference here today. representatives, Mr Sarangi time. Opposing the submission, Mr Sarangi and another said. the Modi Government claimed delegate Rachna Dhingra, The tour was organised by that it had a backlog of around members for Bhopal Group for International Campaign for 15,000 metric tonnes of waste, Information and Action (BGIA), Justcie in Bhopal (ICJB) with making it impossible to dispose said two teen-aged girls -- support of over one hundred of the Bhopal waste within the Sarita and Safreen -- belonging U.S-based organisations state. It said the waste should to the toxic gas and including AID, Amnesty be disposed of in MP at its contaminated ground water International and others. Funds upcoming incinerator facility at exposed family and students of for the tour was raised by local Pithampur. ninth and tenth standards donations, mainly by AID. The issue reached the apex respectively, were the main Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ court after Gujarat challenged spokespersons of the tour. 11/0 6/09 an order of the MP High Court ''We were overjoyed to see clearing the transportation of so much support for the people US lawmakers want the toxic waste from Bhopal to of Bhopal so far away. But at Ankleshwar by the end of the same time we are shocked Dow to clean up January 2009. Gujarat to see Bhopal like situations in Bhopal gas leak site submitted before the Supreme institutes in several places in Court: "There is an increasing that country where it is mostly Washington/New Delhi, 18 problem of rise in toxic waste in the poor and black people, who JUNE: US lawmakers have the state and there is a total are the victims,'' said Sarita and asked Dow Chemical to clean backlog of about 15,000 metric Safreen, who belong to the up the soil and underground tonnes. If there is a facility in organisation 'Children against water contaminated by the MP that is capable of storing Dow -Carbide' and coped well deadly gas leak at Union and incinerating the hazardous with the language, food and Carbide plant at Bhopal but the waste, it will be more practical hectic pace of the tour. US firm disowned the liabilities and safe if the same is directed The 42-day campaign tour saying that it never owned or to be incinerated in MP instead that began at Princeton operated the disgraced plant of in the petitioner state University on April 21, went site. (Gujarat)." through several cities including As many as 27 lawmakers The Indian Express/ Delhi/ New York, Washington D.C. have requested Dow Chemical 11/ 03/ 09 and ended in San Francisco. Company to meet the demands They visited 23 universities of the survivors of Bhopal Bhopal Gas Tragedy including Havard University. tragedy for medical and The delegation also met with economic rehabilitation. and the Survivor Tour 17 senators, congressman and “Dow acquired shares of Union their aides including Jim Carbide in 2001, seven years A four-member delegation McDermott, Chairman of India after UCIL became Eveready including two members of the Caucus and Henry Waxman, Industries India Ltd. survivors' family of the worst Chairman of Energy and “Union Carbide had no industrial gas tragedy in Bhopal Commerce Committee. assets in India at the time of conducted a successful Mr Sarangi said the response the transaction with Dow. Dow campaign of United States to of the senators was positive never owned or operated the exert pressure over Dow after Barak Obama became the UCIL plant site,” a Chemicals Company that US President and Mr Waxman, spokesperson for Dow said in a refused to obey Indian courts in particular, was very statement. and Indian government. cooperative and assured to Union Carbide paid US$ ''We had a successful provide all sorts of help. 470 million in damages for the meeting with the US State and He said 15 congressman deadly gas leak from the plant Justice Department officials, had already signed on to the on 3 December, 1984, which who took keen interest on the letter, initiated by Congressman left several hundred dead and issue of extradition of Warren Frank Pallone, addressed to thousands medically ill. Anderson, former chairman of the board of directors of Dow In a letter to the Dow Union Carbide and Dow Chemical Company which Chairman and CEO Andrew Chemical's liability for clean up asked to accept liabilities of Liveris, the in Bhopal where toxins still Bhopal. Mr Waxman, who in American lawmakers said: “We linger 25 years later, creating 1984 chaired the congressional request that Dow ensures that unsafe, chemical-laced drinking sub-committee on Bhopal Gas a representative appear in the water that people within poor Disaster, had expressed ongoing legal cases in India communities have no choice 57

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster regarding Bhopal, that Dow former Union Carbide extradition. The US meets the demands of the Corporation chairman Warren government refused to send survivors for medical and Anderson — the main accus ed him. economic rehabilitation, and in the gas tragedy case. ‘‘If we have been cleans up the soil and Chief judicial magistrate continuously demanding Abu groundwater contamination in Prakash Mohan Tiwari issued Salem and Dawood Ibrahim to and around the factory site”. the warrant on July 22 directing be brought to India, why not The US lawmakers' letter has CBI to arrest and produce Anderson?’’ asked Jabbar. ‘‘All endorsed the survivors' Anderson so that he could face those who commit heinous demands for remediation, as the trial. The warrant was crimes against India should be put forth by the International issued after two NGOs, Bhopal brought and tried in our courts. Campaign for Justice in Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Udhyog The Bhopal gas tragedy (ICJB), mainly that Dow provide Sangathan (BGPMUS) and officially killed 15,274 people medical and economic Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh and left 5.74 lakh affected. Why rehabilitation and clean up the Sahayog Samiti, approached should this man get away just factory and groundwater the CJM’s court. because he is an American contamination. In their application, the citizen and approaching 90. He US Congressman Mr Frank NGOs appealed to the court ‘‘to is still wanted in the Bhopal law Pallone led the effort to support frustrate the concerted attempt courts. It’s a judicial process. the ICJB demands. of the Union of India and all We don’t want to shoot him or “The polluter pays” principle in concerned public servants in hang him,’’ Jabbar added. the domestic laws of both India office at relevant periods, who and America state that the have made a complete GOVERNMENT polluter, rather than the public mockery of the judicial process SLOTH agencies or taxpayers, should and the criminal justice system 1994 | Union govt forms panel be held responsible for its in the country.’’ to execute Anderson’s environmental pollution in its The tragedy occurred on the extradition entirety, the letter said. intervening midnight of 2003 | India asks US to However, the Dow December 2-3, 1984. Four extradite him statement noted that “polluter days later, Anderson came to 2004 | US rejects request pays” law is misinterpreted in Bhopal to review the situation. COMPENSATION the letter. He was arrested but released Union govt claims $350 bn from “The law applies to those who almost immediately after which UCC owned and operated pl ant he left India, never to come In an ’89 settlement, UCC sites. The Bhopal site was back. CBI has been claiming agrees to pay $470m in owned and operated by UCIL, before different courts that damages, 15% of the original a separate, publicly traded Anderson is absconding. But $3 bn claimed in lawsuit Indian company. local NGOs claim Anderson, Families of 3,000 dead get Rs “With the Supreme Court, who was living in Florida, later 2 lakh each and 1.20 lakh gas Union Carbide sold its interest shifted to Long Island, New victims Rs 50,000 (twice) in in UCIL in 1994 and UCIL was York, where he was tracked 1992 and 2004. The govt sells renamed Eveready Industries down by Green Peace activists UCC property in India. Rs India Ltd -- a company that five years ago. 3,000cr collected given as continues to operate in India Earlier, a non-bailable arrest compensation today and is the company that warrant was issued against WHO’S WARREN was involved in the tragedy,” Anderson by the CJM’s court ANDERSON? the statement pointed out. on March 27, 1992, recalled Anderson (88) was CEO, Union Statesman/ Kolkata/ 19/06/09 BGPMUS convener Abdul Carbide, during Bhopal gas Jabbar. ‘‘In 1994, the Union leak i n 1984, when Warrant against government constituted a 15,274 killed special committee to execute CHARGES Carbide ex-chief the extradition of Anderson. But Main accused. Arrested and nothing happened,’’ he released in Bhopal on Dec 7; NBW Issued Against Warren claimed. After consulting legal fled to US in a private jet Feb 1, Anderson 25 Years After experts, then (2002) attorney 1992 | Declared fugitive by Bhopal Gas Tragedy general Soli Sorabjee argued India March 27 | NBW issued. that Anderson was more than Court tells Centre to press for Suchandana Gupta 80-year-old and recommended extradition Booked for culpable Twenty-five years after the that ‘‘the demand for his homicide. Maximum penalty | world’s worst industrial disaster extradition be dropped.’’ Under 10 years in jail WHERE’S hit Madhya Pradesh’s capital pressure from the gas victims, ANDERSON? killing more than 15,000 the Union government sent a The Times of India/ Delhi/ people, a local court has issued letter asking for Anderson’s 01/ 08/ 09 a fresh arrest warrant against 58

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Bhopal gas victims have hazardous chemicals, the was referring to the gas leak or disaster continues,” he adds. its aftermath, he said it was continue to suffer Reports compiled by time to look ahead after Greenpeace, Citizen’s learning lessons from the Mahim Pratap Singh Environmental Laboratory tragedy. As the 25th anniversary of the (Boston) and the National In less than three months it world’s biggest industrial Environmental Engineering will be 25 years of the world’s disaster draws closer, victims Research Institute, reveal that worst industrial disaster. “I have of the Bhopal gas tragedy the Carbide factory, stockpile, held that waste in my hand, I continue to face the abject disposal sites, waste dump and am still alive,” the minister said indifference of the Union and the soil around it, contain over while referring to the 350 tonne State governments. 15,000 metric tones of at least toxic waste lying on the Recently, the Union Carbide 18 toxicants. campus of the now abandoned Corporation denied it was the Exposure to carcinogens plant. management’s fault and such as polychlorinated The minister chose not to instead blamed the workers. biphenyl (PCB) and say it in too many words but “There is enough evidence to hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and targeted the NGOs by prove that the management substances like chlorinated observing that the greenery was responsible for the cost- naphthalene, around the abandoned saving steps that led to the hexachlorobutadine, lead and premises was better than most safety lapse that caused the mercury can cause excessive other places, and asked “Would leak,” says T.R. Chauhan, a damage to the brain, nervous it have been (so) with all the control-room operator at the system, liver, kidneys, and toxicity around?” plant during the tragedy and lungs, and result in skin lesions According to the Union the author of ‘Bhopal: The and fragile skin. It can also lead minister, compensation has Inside Story’. to stunted growth and damage been paid to every eligible foetus. claimant. Ramesh said 40 Situation today The pond, according to tonnes of lime sludge had Carbide, had a plastic coating already been disposed of and At last count made in 2004 underneath to stop seepage. the government hoped to during settlement of However, the black soil of the dispose of the remaining waste compensation claims, there region develops cracks and within the next six months. were 5,74,000 people seriously seepage occu rs easily, Gujarat has already refused injured. They and the families polluting the ground water. permission to incinerate the of the 15,274 dead, received Residents of slums and waste at Ankleshwar. The monetary compensation. colonies around the site are minister said the facility in Today, over 3,00,000 victims forced to drink contaminated Pithampur in Madhya Pradesh still make frequent rounds of water. was the first choice while a city hospitals. Over a 1,00,000 The Indian Council of committee was also looking for are permanently affected. Medical Research (ICMR) alternate sites. To Carbide, the tragedy cost conducted 24 studies in Bhopal Meanwhile, the state a mere $470 million in since the disaster. The government has proposed to compensation, as agreed upon consolidated report of the the Centre to share the Rs 110- in a 1989 Supreme Court - studies are yet to be made crore memorial proposed for brokered settlement based on public. the gas victims. “I am sure the 1,20,000 injured and another The Hindu/ Delhi/ 07/ 08/ 09 Centre will support the 3000 dead, without any initiative,” Ramesh said after consultation with the victims. Truth about Bhopal Chief Minister Shivraj Singh “We are preparing a detailed Chouhan discussed the matter report of the tragedy, to be gas leak tragedy with him. made public two days after the uncomfortable, says The Centre has also 25th anniversary of the proposed to upgrade the tragedy,” says Babulal Gaur, Jairam Disaster Management Institute Minister for Gas Relief in set up after the gas tragedy to Madhya Pradesh. Milind Ghatwai Union Environment and Forests the level of a National Institute “The disaster didn’t just end of Industrial Safety. in 1984,” says Abdul Jabbar, an Minister Jairam Ramesh on Saturday said “the truth (about The Indian Express/ Delhi/ activist working for the victims 13/ 09/ 09 since the tragedy. “For those the Bhopal gas tragedy) is permanently affected and living uncomfortable”. The Minister around the Carbide factory and said this after visiting the site of the pond where all its effluents the disaster whose unofficial were dumped, and which still toll he put at 25,000. Though he did not clarify whether he 59

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Gas tragedy: NGOs “The government hopes that Sahayog Samiti have in a letter allowing people to visit the site to the Prime Minister expressed warn of direct action would satisfy their curiosity and “shock over the UPA remove misconceptions that government’s silence over the Three organisations working for things at the plant have been state of the victims”. welfare of those affected by the kept under wraps,” said former “We want the honourable 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy chief minister Gaur. Prime Minister to see the victims warned the Madhya “I have visited the site condition of the victims and the Pradesh government today to numerous times and handled state of the medical access fulfil its promise of providing the waste on several they have, which is pathetic,” clean water to the victims occasions. There’s nothing to said Abdul Jabbar, a prominent before the tragedy's 25th worry,” he added. Incidentally, activist leading the struggle for anniversary failing which they a similar remark by Union justice to the gas victims.The will be compelled to take ''direct Environment and Forests letter also expresses concern action.'' Leaders of the Bhopal Minister Jairam Ramesh during over the government’s Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery his recent visit to Bhopal had indifference towards the gas Karmchari Sangh, Bhopal Gas created a furore prompting him victims: “We cannot help notice Peedit Mahila Purush to apologise to NGOs and that your honourable self had Sangharsh Morcha and Bhopal victims. led the nation in paying Group for Information and But Gaur maintained he saw homage to the late Prime Action (BGIA) asserted that the nothing wrong in allowing Minister Indira Gandhi on her regime would be responsible people to visit the site. “In any 25th death anniversary. We for the consequences. case, birds and animals are gather from personal ''The government had assured breathing the same air without knowledge and through media that the work would be coming to harm. Moreover, reports that a series of events completed last November but people live in the close vicinity were lined up to commemorate later stretched the deadline to of the plant,” he said. Indira Gandhi’s death March and now says that Kolar Not everybody is pleased anniversary from 31 October, water will be supplied to with the idea though. Says 2009, to 19 November, 2009, affected settlements by this Convenor of Bhopal Gas Peedit which happens to be Indiraji’s November,'' the BGIA's Mahila Udyog Sangathan Abdul birth anniversary,” said the Satinath Shadangi told media Jabbar, “Jaise jannat ke letter. here today. darwaze khol rahein hai (As if It said if Mrs. Gandhi’s Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ they are opening doors to death anniversary programmes 24/ 09/ 09 heaven). They should at least could go on for such a long ensure people don’t go near duration, why couldn’t the 25 years after Bhopal MIC Tank No E 610, from Prime Minister spare some time gas tragedy, plant to where the gas leaked.” for the victims of the tragedy. Over the years NGOs have The gas leak in the pesticide be open to public been warning that the plant of the Union Carbide chemicals buried in the 67 -acre factory in Bhopal in 1984 had Milind Ghatwai plant were poisoning the air resulted in the death of over Twenrty-five years after the and water around the campus. 20,000 people and caused world’s worst industrial disaster The Indian Express/ Delhi/ injuries to over 550,000 others. shook Bhopal, the locked Union 08/11/09 The official toll of dead and Carbide plant will be thrown injured gas victims as open to the public for a week. PM urged to lead the determined by the office of the “We will put up an exhibition Welfare Commissioner, Bhopal, highlighting the work done by nation in paying through the process of the government and throw homage to gas victims adjudication is 574,367. The open the doors to the public for letter urges the Prime Minister a week,” Minister for Gas Mahim Pratap Singh “to visit Bhopal on December 3 Tragedy (Relief and BHOPAL: Victims of the 1984 so that you could not only pay Rehabilitation) Babulal Gaur Bhopal gas tragedy have urged homage to the victims but also told The Sunday Express. Prime Minister Manmohan make a direct assessment of Except for investigators, Singh to visit Bhopal and “lead the travails that the survivors government officials, NGOs the nation in paying homage to are continuing to face even 25 and journalists, and thieves the gas victims” on the 25th years after the tragedy”. lured by its iron and steel, the anniversary of the biggest Hindu/ Delhi/ 10/11/09 plant has remained closed to industrial disaster in the the public after December 2, world.Bhopal Gas Peedith 1984, when a gas leak in the Mahila Udyog Sanghathan and pesticide plant left behind a Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh deadly trail. 60

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Bhopal show upsets Rachna said that during his responsible for the recent visit to Bhopal, Union contaminated water in the gas victims environment and forest minister plant’s vicinity. Jairam Ramesh had denied The NGOs want Dow RASHEED KIDWAI presence of toxic waste inside Chemicals, which took over Policemen guard the entrance the plant. Union Carbide, to clean up the of the Union Carbide factory in “I went inside, touched toxic site. But Dow is unwilling to do Bhopal after the gas leak in material and I am still alive. I so on the ground that all 1984 am not coughing,” Jairam, who liabilities regarding the disaster Bhopal, Nov. 13: The visited the factory, had were settled when Union Madhya Pradesh government’s remarked. Carbide concluded a $470- move to open for a week the The minister had also said million compensation Union Carbide factory site to the factory premises looked settlement in 1989. visitors as part of the gas greener than some forests, Telegraph/ Calcutta/ 14/11/09 tragedy’s 25th anniversary has implying that if there was outraged survivors and activists stockpile of toxic material, so Speed up justice for who suspect a “sinister” ploy to much of greenery would not sidestep key issues. have come about. Bhopal gas victims’ NGOs and activists working As if taking the cue, former for the survivors of the 1984 Madhya Pradesh minister BHOPAL: Pointing to years of industrial disaster — which Babulal Gaur, the man in alleged official neglect by the claimed thousands of lives — charge of relief and Central and State called the move “foolish”. rehabilitation of victims of the governments, the organisations “The opening of the site is tragedy, has defended the putting in serious efforts to not new as it is done every government’s move. bring justice to the kin of the year, though for shorter “The plant is being opened victims of the Bhopal gas durations. It is a sinister to help people get rid of the tragedy have once again attempt to sidestep key issues apprehension and expressed concern over the of relief and rehabilitation,” misconception that chemical manner in which the whole Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila wastes lying in the factory are issue has been treated over the Udyog Sangathan convener still harmful and are polluting past 25 years. Abdul Jabbar said. the ground water of nearby Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila “On the 25th anniversary, I localities,” he said. Udyog Sanghathan (BGPMUS) wish to seek some answers “By visiting the site, people and Bhopal Gas Peedith from the Centre, the state will be able to see for Sangharsh Sahayog Samiti government and civil society — themselves that the (BGPSSS) have submitted a what about accountability and government is not hiding memorandum titled “The punishment to those who were anything from them,” the former Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster: responsible for the death of chief minister added. “The Twenty-five years after” to thousands?” chemical waste is confined to a Prime Minister Manmohan The government opens the room and it is not polluting Singh site every year on December 3 water in the area.” In the memorandum, the — when hundreds of Jabbar said he didn’t have organisations have urged the thousands of people were words to express his disgust. “It Centre to set up a ‘National exposed to the deadly methyl is improper and objectionable Commission on Bhopal’ to isocyanate gas 25 years ago — for the minister to speak like tackle the whole issue, which to observe a minute’s silence in this. The matter is sub judice. they expect will speed up the memory of the victims. This Gaur’s department and the process of justice that is year, however, the site will state government have filed eluding the victims since the remain open for a week. The several affidavits in courts disaster ravaged the city on the Shivraj Singh Chauhan regime justifying our cl aim that there is night of December 3, 1984. has also lined up an exhibition a huge stockpile of toxic Establishing a national-level of photographs related to the waste,” Jabbar, a gas victim Commission would help in a tragedy. himself, said. speedy resolution of issues Rachna Dhingra, Other voices echoed related to health status, spokespe rson for the Bhopal Jabbar. Tota Ram Chauhan, compensation, environmental Group for Information and who was a technician with pollution, rehabilitation and Action, said the move to open Union Carbide, insisted the litigation-related matters in the the site was part of an plant still had a large quantity of US, says the memorandum. orchestrated campaign to deny toxic waste. The organisations have presence of high toxic material Quoting from reports filed by alleged that very few initiatives inside the plant. some government agencies, he have been taken by the State said the toxic waste was Government to rehabilitate the

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster surviving victims through tar have very low mammalian Bhopal Group for Information employment. toxicity; and (ii) Based on the and Action. Hindu/ Delhi/ 18/11/09 primary skin irritation test, all As part of the campaign, the six samples collected from they will be organising a HC permits Govt to 'Stored Toxic Wastes at the ‘Benign Buffet’ on November former UCIL, plant site at 28 where the members of the open Carbide factory Bhopal' are non-irritant." State Cabinet and the for fortnight Based on this report, the bureaucracy would be invited to State Government sought an eat such ‘delicacies’ as Semi- The Jabalpur High Court has opinion from National Processed Pesticide on permitted the State Environmental Engineering Watercress and Lime Sludge Government to open the gates Research Institute (NEERI) , Mousse. The decision of Union Carbide factory to the Nagpur, whether it was safe to regarding organising such a public for a fortnight. open the factory site for the buffet was taken on the basis of Talking to The Pioneer, public for 15 days on the the report of Director, Defence Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and occasion of the 25 years of the Research Development Rehabilitation Minister Babulal disaster. NEERI had also given Establishment Gwalior R Gaur said the High Court had a go ahead in the matter. Vijayraghavan and Director of permitted the Government to Union Minister of State for National Environmental go ahead with its plan to allow Environment and Forests Engineering Research Institute, the public to enter the Union Jairam Ramesh during his visit Nagpur who have certified Carbide factory premises. He to the factory site in Union Carbide’s chemical said, "I have convened a September, had courted wastes to be orally ingestible meeting of the officials of the controversy by holding a are also invited. Department to decide the dates handful of the waste and Three survivors’ when the premises would be commented that he was alive organisations, while talking to open for the people." and not even coughing after the mediapersons hoped that it The Government's decision adventure. would not long before they had come in for flak from the Buoyed over these succeed in making Dow NGOs working for the welfare developments, the State Chemical clean up the poisons of the gas victims because Government had decided to from Bhopal. Anderson is Gaur had said the waste lying open the gates for the public for extradited from USA. The in the Union Carbide factory 15 days from the third week of Empowered Commission on premises for the past 25 years November. But it had to Bhopal is set up by the Central were no longer toxic enough to approach the court since there Government and the lies being adversely affect the human was a ban on opening of gates spread by the Madhya Pradesh beings. If the Supreme Court for the public from the court Government are exposed. allow s it, the Madhya Pradesh itself. Satinath Sarangi, president Government would dispose of For the first time since the of Bhopal Group for Information the waste in the State itself. disaster took place, the and Action said that while the He had also said even the common man would be free to Ministry of Bhopal Gas Tragedy groundwater around the factory move inside the killer factory's has asked for Rs 980 crore site, which was earlier premises. The dates for public from the Union Government for considered to be contaminated entry have yet to be finalised. rehabilitation of the Bhopal due to the deadly gas leak on Pioneer/ Delhi/ 26/11/09 survivors, the Minister along December 2, 1984, did not with the State Chief Minister have anything to do with the Gas survivors’ are busy pronouncing the disaster. disappearance of exposure Gaur had based his organisations to related health problems and statements on the basis of two launch agitation contaminants in soil and recent reports, which had against State Govt’s ground water. They said that concurred that the waste were lies the failure of Government no more toxic. The Defence agencies is apparent by the Reasearch and Development facts that over 1,30,000 Establishment (DRDE), Three survivors’ organisations survivors are still chronically ill Gwalior, conducted tests on of Bhopal gas tragedy would from exposure related samples collected from the jointly launch the Jhooth Bole illnesses, tens of thousands of factory site last year and Kaua Kaate campaign to children born to exposed concluded that "(i) All the expose the State Government’s parents suffer from growth samples viz. excavated waste, lies. The organisations include disorders and horrific birth lime sludge, naphthol tar, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila defects and people continue to reactor residue, semi- Stationery Karmachari Sangh, die untimely deaths from Union processed pesticide and sevin Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Carbide’s poisons. Purush Sangharsh Morcha and 62

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Replying to a query about the ‘‘I am diseased. No gas victim Carbide plant in Bhopal on dumping of factory waste, stays healthy. We all suffer December 3, 1984. Twenty-five Sarangi said, “There is no from numerous ailments. I need years later, Khan, who is now place in India where the waste the money to buy medicines. also a diabetic, continues to could be dumped, the Gujarat Hospitals won’t treat me for suffer from severe pulmonary Government has earlier free unless I am a confirmed ailment as, ironically, a hospital declined for providing space for gas victim. The only proof of meant for thousands left dumping organic waste.” He this is if one gets critically ill by MIC exposure, further said that three options compensation. But the court has shut its door on him. have been advised by the says my file is lost,’’ Badli Bai ‘‘Doctors don’t even talk to survivors’ organisations to the says. While there are more us. My father has the State Government, for facility of than 40 cases regarding non- documents including the victim Bhopal gas waste, which payment of compensation to ID, but the hospital — Bhopal includes Denmark, Germany victims before the high court Memorial Hospital and and Canada. since 2004, victims’ NGOs are Research Centre — treats us Pioneer/ Delhi/ 27/11/09 still filing petitions arguing that like untouchables and refuses the recompense was to admit him,’’ alleged Khan’s Bhopal Gas Tragedy: insufficient and delayed. son, Faizan. ‘‘We can’t even sit ‘‘The Centre got into a near the doctor; the hospital All papers in order, settlement with the Union staff is so highhanded,’’ alleged but denied their due Carbide Corporation, USA, Faizan. Faizan said Khan also without the victims’ consent,’’ suffers from kidney dysfunction Suchandana Gupta said Hamida Bi, a gas victim and needs dialysis twice a BHOPAL: Eighty-year-old and activist. ‘‘Carbide paid Rs week. ‘‘I work as a van driver Maqsuda Bi still comes and 713 crore (at 1989 prices) on and need Rs 2,000 weekly for stands outside the welfare the assumption that only 3,000 dialysis to keep my father alive. commissioner’s office, asking persons had died and 1,05,000 We’ve sold our valuables and to be compensated like other were injured. The actual figure borrowed Rs 60,000. People victims of the deadly is five times more. The have stopped giving credit methylisocynate gas that government admitted that because they know we can’t swirled through this erstwhile 4,69,367 victims were kept out pay back,’’ he said. city of nawabs 25 years ago, of the settlement. He said Khan was killing an estimated 20,000 “The compensation amount diagnosed with kidney people and maiming 5,69,160. that was to be distributed dysfunction last year and put ‘‘I have all the relevant among 1,08,000 persons has on dialysis just twice and then papers including my ration card now been disbursed among discharged. ‘‘Since then, they and doctors’ pr escriptions. 15,200 dead and 5,69,160 have refused to put him on Everyone in my family, injured. The average dialysis despite the fact that the including my grandchildren, compensation works out to Rs hospital is meant for the gas have got compensation. Why 12,410 per victim at the 1989 victims,’’ he said. ‘‘The victims have I been ignored?’’ she value of the rupee. Compared are entitled for a lifetime of asks. The ‘‘compensation’’, of to this, the US government paid medical treatment at the course, was so paltry that it had an average of $1.8 million per hospital, but we were refused a led to a fresh round of victim of 9/11,’’ she adds. third dialysis.’’ litigations. ‘‘Those who died that night He said far from curing him, ‘‘I was with my family that were fortunate,’’ said Husna the hospital’s faulty laser night in our house in Ashoka Bano of Aish Bagh, adding, operation left him blind and the Garden. My husband’s lungs ‘‘The gas leak left us like family had to get his eyes were badly damaged and he walking corpses. I had a seven operated at a private hospital. was bed-ridden for 10 years kg fibroid in my stomach which Times of India/ Delhi/ coughing blood. He died in left the doctors researching on 01/12/09 1995. I am still fighting for my the after-effects of MIC. I do due,’’ she told TOI. Badli Bai some stitching work to run the MPs seek fair deal for (50) of Rajendra Nagar has a family. If I earn Rs 50, I spend similar story. Her file was lost Rs 35 on treatment. We spend Bhopal gas victims from the settlement court. She more money on medicine than has the documents to prove on food.’’ French author Dominique herself a victim. The doctors ‘Doctors treat us like Lapierre, shakes hands with certified that her lungs were untouchables’ children of victims of the gas damaged. She received interim BHOPAL: Rafiq Khan (52) tragedy during his visit to relief of Rs 200 per month after endured the lethal billow of Sambhawna Trust Clinic to the gas leak, but not a paisa methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas mark the 25th anniversary of after that. that leaked out of the Union the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, in

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster PTI French author Dominique Bhopal gas victims ahead of the polls. Bhopal's Lapierre, shakes hands with municipal elections are children of victims of the gas still remember scheduled for December. tragedy during his visit to industrial tragedy The plant could be opened Sambhawna Trust Clinic to on a later date. mark the 25th anniversary of According to CNN, the Indian China Post/ 01/12/09 the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, in government will not open up Bhopal on Tuesday. the Bhopal plant as a public Programmes, A fair deal to the victims of memorial, but many victims still the Bhopal Gas tragedy, a remember the world's worst seminars to mark 25th fitting celebration on the 150th industrial disaster. year of gas tragedy birth anniversary year of The authorities planned to Rabindranath Tagore and plea open up the Union Carbide A two-day national seminar, for better preservation of fertilizer plant, that released 40 organised by three remains of the ancient tons of methyl isocyantate gas organisations, will be held on Vikramshila university were on Dec 3, 1984. This toxic leak December 1 to draw attention among several issues raised in caused the deaths of 4,000 towards the plight of Bhopal the Lok Sabha today. people with thousands of gas tragedy victims on its 25th Maintaining that the people still suffering from anniversary. magnitude of those affected by exposure to the deadly gas and Bhopal Gas Peedith the gas disaster was “five times contaminated land and water. Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti more” than estimated in the Since the poison cloud (BGPSSS), All India People's rehabilitation plan, Adhir enclosed Bhopal, the Science Network (AIPSN) and Ranjan Chowdhury (Congress) International Campaign for Centre of Indian Trade Unions asked the government to take a Justice in Bhopal alleges that (CITU) had formed a joint fresh look at the situation and, survivors have received an committee on October 31 hist along with the state average of only US$500 each year that included 35 government, work out plans to in compensation. organising members. provide relief to the victims. Marking the 25th Apart from the seminar, the Raising the issue during anniversary of the industrial committee would also hold a Zero Hour, he said lakhs of disaster, this year's event came 'Sankalp Sabha' (Resolution victims were still recuperating to be marked victims' rights and meeting) in front of Union from the effects of the government accountability. Carbide Company gate on poisonous Methyl Iso-cyanate Madhya Pradesh state December 3 to take vow gas and compensation claims government planned to against imperialism. of many were to be settled temporarily open the long- To mark the 25th even 25 years after the 1984 dormant plant which was anniversary of gas tragedy, tragedy. surrounded by concrete another organisation Zahreeli Observing that 2010 would barriers and barbed wire to the Gas Kand Sangharsh Morcha be the 150th birth anniversary public. Bhopal (ZGKSMB) also of Tagore, Gurudas Dasgupta “Everyone wants to see the announced several (CPI) urged the government to world's worst industrial programmes to mark the day. set up a national committee, disaster,” said S.R. Mohanty, Taking a dig at the headed by the Prime Minister, the secretary for the Relief and imperialistic attitude of multi - and evolve a national plan to Rehabilitation Department for national companies, state CITU celebrate this event in a the Bhopal gas tragedy. General Secretary Pramod befitting manner. It could be the government's Pradhan told mediapersons He said Tagore was a poet way of reassuring its people here today that MNCs were and a social activist who stood that the plant no longer posed a being dictated by the against all forces of division threat to society. However, the International Monetary Fund and fundamentalism and move sparked protests from and the World Trade shaped and influenced national victim rights groups and Organisation, which were history. “His thoughts are as environmental activists. Just controlled by the United States. relevant today as before”. Mr. days before the anniversary, He also criticised the Centre for Dasgupta was supported by government officials attempting to bring about the CPI(M)’s Basudeb Acharia and backtracked on the plan that Civil Nuclear Liability Bill other Left members. they had only recently allowing companies to set up Hindu/ Delhi/01/12/09 announced, even they had little nuclear plant without to do with the gas leak. responsibility for any disaster. Mohanty cited an election Terming the Bill as 'dangerous rule that prohibits acts that Act', Pradhan said ''such Act could be construed as will not provide any justice to attempting to influence voters gas victims. On the contrary, it

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster will pave way for another amends for its past mistakes At the Indira Gandhi Memorial 'Bhopal Gas Tragedy'. and do the needful for the hospital established as a centre Therefore, we feel a need for benefit of the gas victims. for treatment of women gas strong agitation against such No less than 6,000 victims victims and children with imperialistic attitude, '' he said. continue to visit the hospitals abnormality born to them, ZGKSMB Convenor Alok everyday to seek treatment for Jabbar stated that the 100-bed Pratap Singh told reporters disaster-related ailments. hospital had most doctors here today that besides paying available only on call and no tributes to those who died in UC landfill site dug up: NGO proper emergency facilities the world's worst industrial were available at the hospital. tragedy by or ganising The landfill site containing the ''This five story hospital has programme here to pay toxic waste officially covered the lift malfunctioning for homage to them. with black soil near the Union months now and despite A souvenir would be Carbide plant, a residue of the complaints by gas victims released on this occasion. world's worst industrial disaster, nothing was done'', he said. Besides, 5,000 mementos, in this city could turn out to be Jabbar said that the Rasool based on the gas tragedy, and another thorn in the flesh of the Ahmed Siddiqui Hospital for collection of 70 poems would ruling Bharatiya Janata Party Pulmonary diseases also be released, he said (BJP) government. established for gas victims was adding that a national seminar ''It's the 25th anniversary of Rs 8 crore project exclusively on 'Bhopal Se Sabak (Take the Bhopal gas tragedy on used for treating gas victims.'' lesson from Bhopal)' based on December 2 and a part of the ''On one side there are no environment and dangerous landfill site which was a lake specialists available to treat industries, would be organised prior to the tragedy had been gas victims with chest problems on December 3. dug up to construct a road at while on the other side the Oral Singh demanded from the Naw ab Nagar, a few meters Pathology Department is used Centre to provide Rs 700 crore, away'', stated Abdul Jabbar, to treat many general patients which was announced by the convenor of the Bhopal Gas with the doctors available at the Rajiv Gandhi Government in Peedit Mahila Udyog facility which is now worse than 1988-89 under an action plan, Sanghatan. what is available in a general to the 40 ,000 gas victim Jabbar, who took a group of hospital,'' he said. families. mediapersons on a trip for The 260-bed Bhopal Ensure RS MPs pay taking stock of the various Memorial Hospital built at a homage to gas victims facilities lying under neglect cost of Rs 85 crore for gas Two voluntary after the tragedy stated that the victims had become more of a organisations, the Bhopal Gas mud from the landfill site had paid hospital ins tead of carrying Peedith Mahila Udyog been dumped partly in the out free treatment to the gas Sangathan (BGPMUS) and the colony nearby. victims, he added. Bhopal Gas Peedith Sangharsh ''There are 10,000 metric Sahyog Samiti (BGPSSS), tonnes of toxic waste in the Gas Morcha thanks PM have urged Vice-President lake which was covered with Mohammad Hamid Ansari to black soil in 1996, twelve years Jahrili Gas Kand Sangharsh take initiative in ensuring that after the tragedy in 1984'', he Morcha has congratulated the Rajya Sabha MPs pay homage said. Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan to the victims of the world's Ideally no colony should Singh, Congress President worst industrial disaster on its have been permitted near the Sonia Gandhi and former HRD 25th anniversary on December landfill site but it exists and Minister Arjun Singh for 2 in this city of lakes. suffers the worst problem of establishing Jan Shikshan In a joint statement issued possible exposure to toxic Sansthan at Bhopal. here today, the BGPMUS chemicals, Jabbar said. The Sansthan has aimed at convenor Abdul Jabbar Khan Earlier, at the Kamla Nehru giving professional training to and BGPSSS co-convenor ND Hospital, a facility for treating 2500 gas affected persons Jayaprakash stated that on the gas victims on the premises of during the year 2009-2010. intervening night of December Hamidia Hospital, he said that From March 2009 onwards 80 2-3, 1984, over two-thirds of the hospital constructed at a training centres are giving the then 9,00,000 residents of cost of Rs 23 crore for the training to gas affected and at Bhopal were exposed to highly treatment of gas victims has present 40 centres are toxic gases that leaked from most of it's modern diagnostic functioning. the plant of Union Carbide India and critical care facilities Jahrili Gas Kand Limited. procured at a cost of Rs 32 Sangharsha Morcha along with BGPMUS and BGPSSS crore were being utilised by Rajiv Smriti Gas Peedit hoped that the MPs would exert doctors of Hamidia hospital for Punarvas Kendra, Jan pressure on the Centre to make non gas victims. Shikshan Sansthan , Swa

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Sahayata Samooh Federation Women still affected always remains sick and are jointly organising all party suffers from acute stomach public homage meeting in front even 25 yrs after gas ache. She wriggles in pain. She of Centre Point, New Market on disaster is being treated but it has not the occasion of 25th worked as yet.” anniversary of Bhopal Gas Kumar Shakti Shekhar | Apart from these cases, Tragedy on December 3 from Bhopal there are gas-affected women 12.30 PM. who have been divorced even On this occasion, among Even 25 years after the Bhopal after marriage. Meeta was other things, a Souvenir on '25 Gas Tragedy, there are several married in Nagpur. She said years of Bhopal Gas Tragedy' families in Bhopal where the her husband remained irritated would be released, publication women are not getting married. as she did not keep good of poems on gas tragedy, and If in some cases, the gas- health. The son she gave birth national seminar on 'learn from affected women are suffering to was not normal. “Out of Bhopal'. from gynaecological disorders, anger and frustration, my Rally to generate in others no family is ready to husband sent me and my son awareness about AIDS take them in marriage back to Bhopal to our parent’s The epidemic of AIDS is a suspecting that either the place,” she said. challenge before the world. woman would not conceive or if Meeta has sought the help This disease which is result of she does, the child would not of an NGO for her nine-year-old degradation of moral values be normal and healthy. son’s treatment. The boy is has made society helpless Case I: Twenty-six-year-old getting physiotherapy before it. The primary reason of Nilofar does not keep well. She treatment. helplessness is that even today was about a year old when the The doctors seem helpless its cure is not possible. Bhopal Gas Tragedy struck. about this problem. Dr HH To mark the World AIDS She got affected from the Trivedi, retired professor Day on December 1 an Methyl Iso Cyanate (MIC) gas (medicine), Gandhi Medical awareness rally will be taken leak. She is suffering from College, Bhopal, said, “The out by Rajeev Smriti Gas Pidit gynaecological disorders and is (MIC) gas keeps manifesting Punarwas Kendra from the not getting married. The itself in some form of infection Kendra to generate awareness doctors she consulted told her or the other. The patients keep about AIDS which will pass via that she would not be able to suffering from breathing New Market, MP Nagar, conceive. Her younger sister problem, cough and the likes. Ashbag, Hamidia Road and Farha, 20, was not born when This can also lead to end at the starting point. the tragedy had struck but her gynaecological disorders. It is a The press release of Rajeev mother Munni Bee was nagging problem and we do not Smriti Gas Pidit Punarwas affected. The ailment passed have any treatment for it.” Kendra stated that first case of on to Farha. She too is Unfortunately, as usual, the HIV was found in India in 1986 suffering from the same State Government is found but now there are more than gynaecological problems as her wanting in this regard. The 3.2 million people suffering sister and is unlikely to get NGOs are doing whatever is from this disease. If we talk in married. Sitting in their tattered there in their capacity. Rachna context of Madhya Pradesh hut, the two sisters, pale and Dhingra, member, Bhopal then first HIV infected person weak, help their mother in Group for Information and was found here in 1988 and embroidery work to eke out a Action, says all problems arise today more than 3046 persons living. out of the stress on are suffering from HIV. If Case II: Kaushalya has lost reproduction given in our preventive measures are not all hopes of getting both her society. “The Gas Tragedy has taken against AIDS then with daughters, 31-year-old Rukmini impacted the girls and women the passage of time it will and 29 -year-old Meera, tied in the most. Girls remaining become one of the major wedding knots. She says the unmarried or women getting problem of the country. To two are suffering from divorced even after getting prevent this disease there is gynaecological problems and married because she is not need of aware people and the the doctors have pronounced able to bear child or give birth work of disseminating that they would never beget to healthy children are common information about AIDS has to children. Kaushalya herself had in the slums. There are gas- be done by every section by suffered a paralytic stroke just victim women who are tortured getting educated. after the Gas Tragedy. if they choose to stay with their Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ Kaushalya said, “We husbands.” 01/12/09 ourselves have decided not to It is said marriages are marry off the girls because it is made in heaven and performed of no use. We know the on earth. But for the hapless marriage will not work. Rukmini gas-victim women, it seems no

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster marriage was ever made for Gaur also said that the waste is public groups rather than them anywhere. no more toxic and underground NGOs. He also cited the Pioneer/ Bhopal/ 01/12/09 water has not been example of prolonged agitation contaminated because of the like Narmada Bachao Andolan Bhopal readies to waste. To mark a protest to and added that their role is still this, volunteer Rachna Dhinga relevant for the struggle of the observe 25th year of has organised a lunch on gas survivors. gas tragedy Sunday, in which soil and Pioneer/ Bhopal/ 01/12/09 muddy water were served and Vivek Trivedi | Bhopal the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Bhopal water still Non-Governmental Chouhan, Minister Babulal Organisations representing the Gaur, Union Minister Jairam toxic, 25 years on: Bhopal gas survivors are Ramesh and State Chief study making all out efforts to cash in Secretary Rakesh Sahni were on the special occasion of 25th invited. Groundwater at the site of the anniversary of the infamous Another seasoned volunteer world's worst industrial accident disaster. These NGOs through fighting for the gas survivors, in India's Bhopal city is still a series of events to mark the Abdul Jabbar has also grabbed toxic and making residents sick occasion, are hogging all the this opportunity to come in the 25 years after a gas leak there limelight at present. These limelight and has written to Lok killed thousands, a study said NGOs have planned extensive Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Tuesday. activities to observe the and Rajya Sabha Deputy The analysis conducted by occasion, which has already Speaker and Vice-President the UK-based Bhopal Medical got underway from November Hamid Ansari, demanding a Appeal (BMA) also cast doubt 27 and would run till December special mourning to be upon government-sponsored 3. observed on December 3 to research into the impact of the The focus of the world has pay homage to the gas victims. disaster at the Union Carbide shifted to the State capital as NGOs like Bhopal Gas pesticide plant, where methyl the city is all set to Peedit Mahila Stationary isocyanate gas spewed from a commemorate the 25th Karmchari Sangh, Bhopal Gas storage tank on December 3, anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangarsh 1984. Tragedy this year. Delegates Morcha and Bhopal Group for Activists say more than 350 from across the world have Information and Action have tonnes of toxic waste strewn started landing in the State come on a common platform on around the site still pollute soil capital in advance to witness the occasion. The events are and groundwater in the area, the event. In addition to them, hogging constant limelight for leading to cancer, congenital the bunch of NGOs the last few days as defects, immunity problems representing the gas survivors correspondents from national and other illnesses. is going all out to cash in this and international media houses Internal documents showed historical occasion. have already descended on the the company had been The organisations have city for covering this historical dumping thousands of tonnes meticulously planned a series event. of waste around the plant for of events based on the gas However, all these activities years before the accident, and tragedy — one of the world’s are giving media mileage more while the state government most infamous industrial to the voluntary organsiations does not deny the material disasters — from November 27 rather than the affected exists, it says it is harmless. to December 3. The events survivors. Despite prolonged "This report will nail their include photo exhibition, poetry process to dole out the lie," Satinath Sarangi of the night, agitations, marches, sit- compensation among the gas- Bhopal Group for Information in, Press briefings, felicitations affected people, a lot still need and Action told AFP. programmes and the likes. to be done for them and these "There are still high The NGOs had swung into issues are still to be taken care concentrations of carcinogens action as the Union Minister of of and highlighted. However, and birth defect -causing State for Environment and these crucial issues are hardly chemicals and heavy metals in Forests (independent charge) given the much-needed the water," he said. Jairam Ramesh during his importance in the series of According to research Bhopal visit had picked up a events this year. conducted by the state-run handful of waste and had has One of the volunteers Abdul Indian Council of Medical said that he was not coughing Jabbar on then issue of Research (ICMR) until 1994, to vindicate that the waste was participation and requirement of between 8,000 and 10,000 not toxic. Later, the Bhopal Gas the NGOs said that all the people were killed within the Trag edy Relief and groups fighting for the cause first three days of the tragedy, Rehabilitation Minister Babulal consider them as volunteers or

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster and 25,000 people later died Waste lying in Union Bhopal victims fight from the effects of exposure. Government statistics Carbide factory not for justice 25 years on compiled after 1994 concluded harmful: Gaur that at least 100,000 people Yasmeen Mohiuddin (AFP) – living near the factory in Waste lying in Union Carbide BHOPAL, India — Laccho Bai's Madhya Pradesh state were factory not harmful: GaurClose life has gone from bad to worse chronically sick, with more than shave for MP governor, CMMP in the 25 years since the 30,000 residing in areas with CM asks officials to ensure Bhopal gas tragedy, when contaminated water. time-bound completion of fumes escaped from a The BMA report said the AIIMSVictims of Bhopal gas pesticide plant in the central infrastructure for clean drinking tragedy still deprived of clean Indian city, killing thousands instantly. water set up by the city was water Vajpayee a ‘pseudo inadequate, meaning many moderate’? Huddled against the dirt residents used groundwater out Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief floor of her home -- a shack of wooden planks propped of desperation. and Rehabilitation Minister The charity sent samples of Babulal Gaur on Tuesday against a brick wall with a tin hand-pumped groundwater claimed that the waste lying in roof -- a thin white mucus covers Laccho's eyes, the from 15 Bhopal communities to the defunct Union Carbide laboratories in Switzerland and factory here was not harmful. apparent result of exposure to Britain, which showed "The 350 metric tonne more than 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate gas that filled the concentrations of some toxins waste lying in the fa ctory is not were actually rising "as the at all harmful," Gaur said here, neighbourhood on December 3, chemicals leach through the two days ahead of the 25th 1984. soil and into the aquifer", it anniversary of the world's worst Like many other survivors said. industrial disaster. living close to the Union The document criticised Many NGOs have alleged Carbide facility, she and her tests conducted by an Indian that toxic and hazardous waste family saw none of the multi - laboratory saying results is still present in the factory, million dollar settlement showed very low chemical causing pollution. Gaur said 40 package meant to help those concentrations "despite the fact metric tonnes of waste of the affected. that some of the samples factory has already been carted "People came and told us clearly smelled of solvents". out and disposed of at we could apply for It was "possible that the Pithampur near Indore. compensation," Laccho's laboratory did not wish to pass He rejected the claims husband, Laxmi Narayan, said. on the correct results thanks to made by some NGOs that "They took our name down, but we never saw a penny. the ongoing politi cal waste in the factory was controversy around the Bhopal causing ground water pollution The disaster killed between disaster," the reports' authors and said water to the area 8,000 and 10,000 people within the first three days, according said. around the factory is being Union Carbide -- purchased supplied by the Bhopal to independent data by the by Dow Chemical in 1999 -- Municipal Corporation with the state-run Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and insists all liabilities toward the help of tankers. plant were cleared in a 1989 Ground water around the hundreds of thousands more out of court settlement worth factory is not polluted, he said. still suffer from the effects of exposure to the fumes and 470 million dollars, the bulk of Gaur felt that NGO's which was used to compensate associated with the tragedy contamination of land and victims. were not playing a constructive water. A 2004 high court order for role anymore. "Earlier, NGOs In order to claim the state government to clean played a constructive role but compensation, survivors had to up the waste has resulted in this is not the case now," he prove their ailments -- including only a partial clearance of said. kidney problems, cancer and toxins. There is no need for them to respiratory illnesses -- were "You can't wish them away. protest given that the state actually caused by the toxic They need to be cleaned up," government is providing Rs 45 cloud that belched from the said Sarangi. crore annually for the welfare of plant. Hindustan Times/ Delhi/ the gas tragedy victims, he "This was very hard for 01/12/09 added. people who were poor and illiterate to hire lawyers, doctors Indian Express/ Delhi/ 01/12/09 and middlemen to go testify," said Rachna Dhingra,

coordinator with the

International Campaign for Justice in Bhopal (ICJB), an 68

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster umbrella group of survivors' Relatives of those killed were hundreds of thousands affected organisations. paid an additional 100,000 by the tragedy 25 years ago. The Indian government, rupees for each family member "We would like to remind after initially demanding 3.3 who died. you that on the night of 02/03 billion dollars from Union "If we had received the December 1984, over two- Carbide -- purchased by Dow money all at once I could have thirds of the 900,000 residents Chemical in 1999 -- agreed in helped my family pay for of the city of Bhopal were 1989 to an out of court medical treatment. We couldn't exposed to highly toxic gases settlement totalling 470 million do anything with 200 rupees a that escaped from the premises dollars which absolved the firm month," said Aziza Sultan, who of Union Carbide India Ltd, of any liability to clear up 350 says she miscarried on the which was controlled by the tonnes of remaining toxic street while fleeing the site in Union Carbide Corp, a US waste. terror and entered menopause multinational company," they A 2004 Supreme Court at the age of 32 after being said in the letter. ruling ordered money left over exposed to the gas. "We, hereby, humbly urge from the settlement, and the Verma -- who lost seven of you to take the initiative in interest accrued on it, be given his family -- considers himself ensuring that the members of to survivors, meaning many lucky, having received 700,000 the Lok Sabha and Rajya people received a second rupees after the 1989 Sabha would, on this occasion, payment, or their first one ever. settlement and once again after pay homage to the victims of But the ICJB estimates at the 2004 case. the world's worst chemical least 100,000 people received But his remaining brother disaster." only interim compensation of committed suicide in 2006 after Abdul Jabbar, convenor of 200 rupees (four dollars) per a lengthy fight to see former the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila month immediately after the Union Carbide executives Udyog Sanghathan world's worst industrial prosecuted for their role in the (BGPMUS), and N.D. accident, and never got any tragedy. Jayprakash, co -convenor of the final lump sum payment. A handful of individual Bhopal Gas Peedit Sangharsh Many more received nothing compensation cases linger in Sahayog Samiti (BGPSSS), at all, the result of red tape, the state high court, brought by sent the letter separately to corruption, and civil servants victims who felt they received Meira Kumar and Ansari. who rejected claim forms inadequate com pensation, but It also expressed hope that because names had been years of tireless legal battles the members of the houses misspelled, said Dhingra. have become the norm for would prevail upon the "The process itself was very residents. government of India to make flawed. There was absolutely "People from Bhopal have amends for its past mistakes no sympathy in the whole already suffered a lot and really related to the tragedy. bureaucratic system," she said. deserve a life of dignity," said The letter, which mentions "Judges were brought from Verma. the tragedy, its aftermath, the all over the state and country "Even though they're inadequate compensation and and made a huge amount of illiterate and cannot study, they improper rehabilitation, also money. They had no training to know what their rights are and speaks about the adverse deal with people who had no they are fighting." health impact that continues to proof to show they were AFP News/ 01/12/09 dog the victims. victims," Dhingra added . The claim courts in Bhopal Allegations of fake claims Bhopal gas victims have determined that 574,367 have also emerged over the victims had suffered injuries in years. write to Parliament varying degree causing the "There are people who were untimely death of several not even in the area at the time People carry potable water thousands. but claimed to have been collected from inside the "The grievousness of the exposed so they got premises of Union Carbide injuries suffered by the victims compensated," said Sanjay factory in Bhopal. The Bhopal are such that even 25 years Verma, whose parents and five gas tragedy killed about 4,000 after the disaster no less than siblings died in the accident. people. AP 6,000 victims continue to visit Most of the victims who did hospitals every day due to receive compensation got BHOPAL: Bhopal gas disaster disaster-related ailments," the 25,000 rupees (500 dollars) to victims Monday wrote to Lok letter said. fund a lifetime of hospital visits Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Progenies of gas victims -- with the interim payment and Vice President Hamid appear to be suffering from deducted from that sum. Ansari, the Rajya Sabha genetic effects an d, reportedly, chairman, saying parliament there is a rise in cancer cases should pay homage to the of various kinds, it adds. The

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster letter further mentions that what President Hamid Ansari, the cancer cases of various kinds, is equally worse is that each Rajya Sabha chairman, saying it adds. The letter further gas victim was in fact awarded parliament should pay homage mentions that what is equally less than one-fifth of what he or to the hu ndreds of thousands worse is that each gas victim she was eligible to receive as affected by the tragedy 25 was in fact awarded less than per the terms of settlement, years ago. one-fifth of what he or she was which itself was a paltry sum “We would like to remind eligible to receive as per the compared to the magnitude you that on the night of 02/03 terms of settlement, which itself and gravity of the disaster. December 1984, over two- was a paltry sum compared to "What is equally worse is thirds of the 900,000 residents the magnitude and gravity of that the settlement amount of of the city of Bhopal were the disaster. “What is equally $470 million, which was exposed to highly toxic gases worse is that the settlement determined on the assumption that escaped from the premises amount of $470 million, which that there were only about of Union Carbide India Ltd, was determined on the 105,000 gas victims, including which was controlled by the assumption that there were 3,000 dead, was actually Union Carbide Corp, a US only about 105,000 gas victims, disbursed to 574,367 gas multinational company,” they including 3,000 dead, was victims, including over 15,000 said in the letter. “We, hereby, actually disbursed to 574,367 dead," it says. humbly urge you to take the gas victims, including over The next of kin of each of initiative in ensuring that the 15,000 dead,” it says. The next the dead were awarded a sum members of the Lok Sabha and of kin of each of the dead were of Rs.200,000 on an average Rajya Sabha would, on this awarded a sum of Rs.200,000 and each of the injured was occasion, pay homage to the on an average and each of the awarded a sum of Rs.50,000 victims of the world’s worst injured was awarded a sum of on an average. However, none chemical disaster.” Rs.50,000 on an average. of the gas victims was paid Abdul Jabbar, convenor of However, none of the gas interest for the period of delay the Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila victims was paid interest for the in the award of compensation Udyog Sanghathan period of delay in the award of despite the fact the process of (BGPMUS), and N D compensation despite the fact adjudication of claims stretched Jayprakash, co -convenor of the the process of adjudication of from 1992 to 2006, that is eight Bhopal Gas Peedit Sangharsh claims stretched from 1992 to to 22 years after the disaster. Sahayog Samiti (BGPSSS), 2006, that is eight to 22 years Moreover, the accused sent the letter separately to after the disaster. Moreover, officials of Union Carbide are Meira Kumar and Ansari. It also the accused officials of Union yet to be punished for their expressed hope that the Carbide are yet to be punished criminal negligence that led to members of the houses would for their criminal negligence the tragedy. prevail upon the government of that led to the tragedy. “In fact, "In fact, the government of India to make amends for its the government of India has India has made little effort to past mistakes related to the made little effort to bring prime bring prime accused Warren tragedy. The letter, which accused Warren Anderson and Anderson and concerned mentions the tragedy, its concerned officials of accused officials of accused companies aftermath, the inadequate companies Union Carbide Union Carbide Corporation and compensation and improper Corporation and Union Carbide Union Carbide Eastern to face rehabilitation, also speaks Eastern to face trial in India,” it trial in India," it says. about the adverse health says. “Instead, the government "Instead, the government of impact that continues to dog of India is doing all it can to India is doing all it can to the victims. please Dow Chemical Co, the please Dow Chemical Co, the The claim courts in Bhopal present owners of Union present owners of Union have determined that 574,367 Carbide Corporation.” (IANS) Carbide Corp." victims had suffered injuries in Sentinel/ Guwahati/ 01/12/09 New Indian Express/ varying degree causing the Chennai/ 01/12/09 untimely death of several Groundwater slow thousands. “The grievousness poison in Bhopal' Letter urges of the injuries suffered by the victims are such that even 25 parliament: Right the years after the disaster no less SUDHIR SINGH wrongs, pay homage than 6,000 victims continue to Twenty-five years after Union to Bhopal victims visit hospitals every day due to Carbide's accursed chemical disaster-related ailments,” the plant spewed 42 tonnes of poisonous methyl isocyanate Bhopal, Nov 30: Bhopal gas letter said. Progenies of gas victims appear to be suffering (MIC) gas, killing 8,00010,000 disaster victims on Monday people, and debilitating wrote to Lok Sabha Speaker from genetic effects and, reportedly, there is a rise in thousands of others, a study Meira Kumar and Vice conducted by the Delhi-based 70

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Centre for Science and factory contains almost 40 we have found the toxins in the Environment (CSE) has found times more pesticides than groundwater we have checked that toxic waste lying at the Indian standards. from almost 3 km below the plant premises still These are the findings of a factory,” says Chandra contaminates the city's land study released here today by Bhushan, Associate Director, and water. the New Delhi-based research CSE and in-charge of the CSE Tests done at the CSE's and advocacy organization, laboratory. All 11 groundwater Pollution Monitoring Lab with Centre for Science and samples collected from the help of one water and eight Environment (CSE). CSE’s colonies around the UCIL soil samples collected from the Pollution Monitoring Lab has factory were found to be factory show that groundwater tested water and soil samples contaminated with chlorinated in areas even three kms away from in and around the Union benzene compounds and organ from the plant premises Carbide factory, and found high chlorine pesticides. contained almost 40 times concentrations of pesticides Carbamates were found in four more pesticides than the and heavy metals inside the samples. The concentration of permissible standards. factory as well as in the pesticides was 1.1 to 38.6 Releas ing the report at a groundwater outside. times higher than the Indian crowded press conference on Sunita Narain Director tells- standard. The water sample Tuesday, CSE director Sunita the lab study and its results from a hand-pump near the Narain said it's time the UCIL used to manufacture Chaurasia Samaj Mandir in government stopped denying three different kinds of Shiv Nagar – more than 3 km the problem. pesticides: Carbaryl, Aldicarb from the factory – was the most "Accept the fact that there is and a formulation of Carbaryl contaminated. It had the contamination." This is not so and gamma- highest concentration of much because of the accident hexachlorocyclohexane. The Carbaryl, Lindane, and per se, but because of the plant also used heavy metals mercury. "criminally negligent" like mercury and chromium. Adds Bhushan: “The profile housekeeping. For instance Most of these products and of chemicals found within the Carbide was buying muck elements are persistent and UCIL factory and in the waste which was nothing but isomers toxic. The CSE laboratory disposal site of UCIL matches of hexachlorocyclohexane chose the same chemicals for the chemicals found in the (HCH) from which they its tests. One water and eight groundwater sample in the extracted gamma used in the soil samples were collected colonies outside. There is no production of lindane. from various places inside the other source of these The rest was thrown out of factory. Eleven more water chlorinated benzene the factory. What wasn't samples came from locations compounds and pesticides than foreseen was the abnormally outside, ranging from colonies UCIL.” long life of these chemicals next to the factory’s boundary Speaking at the release of which not only did not to those 3.5 km away. the study report, Sunita Narain, decompose, but seeped into All the samples collected said: “Our findings suggest that the groundwater, rendering it from within the factory were the entire site is highly unfit for human consumption. found to be highly contaminated. The waste Such was the level of contaminated. The waste stored within the factory is a contamination that soil samples stored within the premises had small part of the total had to be diluted 1000 times to Carbaryl content of 9,856 parts contamination present in the know their chemical per million (ppm) and mercury site. The focus of the composition. The presence of content of 1,065 ppm. The soil government to just dispose off heavy metals like mercury and sample near the Sevidol plant the stored waste and ignore the chromium had been confirmed. had 2,782 ppm of Lindane; soil site contamination problem is, Asian Age/ Delhi/ 02/12/09 from solar evaporation pond therefore, not going to solve the had chromium content of 1,065 environmental problems from CSE laboratory ppm, while that from the Sevin the UCIL factory.” plant had mercury Chronic toxicity: the health releases study report concentration of 8,188 ppm. It implications-“The factory site in of Union Carbide must be noted that there is no Bhopal is leading to chronic standard for these pesticides. toxicity – continuous tiny Bhopal, Dec 1: For more than Surface water samples had a exposure leading to poisoning 25 years, the Union Carbide pesticide concentration of of our bodies,” explains Narain. (UCIL) factory has been 0.2805 ppm – which is 561 “This is different from acute contaminating the land and times more than the Indian poisoning and so the claim that water of Bhopal. Latest tests standard- She Informs. the factory is not dangerous show that groundwater in areas “The reason this is because people can touch the even three km away from the extremely worrying is because waste is misleading.” The

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster problem, CSE says, is that the nothing to do with Union development, while that of chemicals present in the soil of Carbide India Limited, which Mercury, a neurotoxin, are the factory are leaching into the operated the plant. higher incidence of groundwater and leading to Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ spontaneous abortions, slow and deliberate poisoning 02/12/09 adverse effects on memory, of residents. concentration, and language The health impact of this CSE finds toxins in skills amongst children slow poisoning will be exposed. enormous, says CSE. groundwater outside According to Mr Bhushan, Chlorinated benzene plant the reason numerous studies in compounds can affect and the past did not find these damage the liver and blood Shiv Karan Singh toxins is that none of them ever cells, while organ chlorine Bhopal, 1 Dec: Courtesy tested for the chemicals pesticides can lead to cancers contaminated groundwater, involved in the actual and bone defects. The two key residents living around the now processing in the Union products of UCIL – Carbaryl abandoned Union Carbide Carbide plant. Tests were and Aldicarb – were as deadly. plant in Bhopal are being conducted for numerous Their health impacts include subject to chronic toxicity in the unrelated chemicals like DDT, damage to the brain and form of chlorinated benzene which had nothing to do with nervous system, chromosomal compounds and organochlorine manufacture at the Union abnormalities etc. pesticides for over 25 years. Carbide plant. The CSE test CSE researchers have Laboratory tests conducted by studied for 20 specific toxins. found that people living around the Center for Science and Ms Sunita Narain, Director the accident site continue to Environment (CSE), the CSE, took pains to explain the suffer from diseases ranging findings of which were released difference between acute and from chronic ailments to in Bhopal today, have found chronic toxicity, with the latter abnormalities. No one, that the same toxins still being “continuous tiny however, is certain how much present in the Union Carbide exposure leading to poisoning of it is related to the gas site have over years leached of our bodies.” Recent release and how much has into the groundwater. This government studies by Defense been exacerbated because of pollution was not caused by the Research & Development continuing exposure to toxins. Bhopal Gas Disaster, but Establishment and National Says Chandra Bhushan: “The during inappropriate handling of Environmental Engineering Indian Council for Medical the toxic waste when the plant Research Institute had tested Research was asked to was in operation between 1969 for acute rather than chronic conduct long-term and 1985. toxicity with samples taken epidemiological research right The testing team, headed from the factory site and not after the disaster, but these by CSE Associate Director Mr groundwater in surrounding studies were summarily Chandra Bhushan, have found housing colonies. discontinued in 1994. The initial a concentration of pesticides Incidentally, CSE had made reports suggested long-term 1.1 to 38.6 times the Indian an unofficial agreement to take and deadly health effects on standard in each of the 11 the soil and water samples the survivors.” collected groundwater samples. along with the Central Pollution Who will pay for the clean- The highest concentration of Control Board (CPCB) on 28 up? - If this contamination is toxins was found in a water and 29 October this year. Joint accepted, the question is, who sample taken from a hand samples were taken by teams will pay for the clean-up? If the pump near the Chaurasia from CSE and CPCB on 28 entire site of the factory needs Samaj Mandir in Shiv Nagar October, but on 29 October the to be carefully checked and Colony, which is located about CPCB informed M. Bhushan cleaned up, the cost of the 3 kms down-slope from the that they had already collected operation will be very high. Union Carbide plant. This ground water samples by Who will pay for this continuing sample has the highest themselves on October 14. environmental damage? Dow concentration for Carbaryl According to sources, the Chemical Company, which has (0.011 ppm or 110 times the CPCB study has also found bought over Union Carbide, standard), and also contains high levels of toxins of soil says it is not responsible. It Lindane (0.004 ppm or 40 samples from the Union wants the High Court to delete times the standard), and Carbide site, but that study has it from the list of respondents. Mercury (0.024 ppm or 24 not been completed. There is Based on letters accessed by times the Indian standard). The no word yet on what levels of RTI activists, it is also clear that health effects of Carbaryl are pollution the CPCB found in there is pressure to dilute the damage to the brain and groundwater samples collected liability of Dow Chemicals, nervous system, endocrine separately on 14 October. arguing that the company had disruption, and abnormal child

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Speaking to The Statesman, 3 km away from the factory site Union Carbide manufactured Ms Narain opinioned that “the contains almost 40 times more three kinds of pesticides in this government cannot deny that pesticides than normal Indian factory including Carbaryl the factory site is contaminated, standards’’. ‘‘Continuous intake (Sevin), Aldicarb (temik) and a but might try and deny of this groundwater can have third formula of carbaryl with contamination of groundwater.” drastic effects on the human gamma- According to the CSE Director, body,’’ CSE’s director and hexachlorocyclohexane the first step is acknowledging activist Sunita Narain claimed. (Sevidol). ‘‘The plant used that Bhopal citizens have a ‘‘This is like slow poisoning.’’ heavy metals like mercury and major chronic pollution problem According to Narain, the chromium. Most of these in the waste present in and CSE pollution monitoring labs products and elements are around the site that has have tested water and soil persistent, toxic and harmful for leached into the groundwater. samples from in and around the the human body. We decided Then a detailed study needs to Union Carbide factory and to test for these chemicals. The be conducted on the actual found high concentration of water in Shiv Nagar, which is 3 scale of the pollution, and on pesticides and heavy metals km away from the factory, the health impacts on the inside the factory premises as tested the highest population, which ended when well as the groundwater concentration of carbaryl at the ICMR discontinued its outside. All 11 groundwater 0.011ppm which is 110 times studies in 1994. Finally, Ms samples collected by CSE the normal standard. Lindane Narain spoke about found large quantities of was found at 0.004 ppm, 40 remediation costs of pollution mercury, chlorinated benzene times higher than normal and and on who is liable. In its compounds and mercury was 0.024 ppm, 24 December 2008 annual report, organochlorine, said the CSE times greater than normal.’’ Dow Chemicals disclosed that report. Narain said 25 years after the its present and future liabilities Earlier research conducted worst industrial disaster, the associated with asbestos cases by the National Environmental Union government thinks that against Union Carbide are Engineering Research Institute the situation is far from expected to be $2.2 billion (NEERI), Pollution Control alarming. She drew attention to dollars. “How can Union Board, City Environmental the remarks by Union minister Carbide accept this asbestos Laboratory (Boston) and of state for environment and related burden of liability in the environmental NGO forests Jairam Ramesh, who U.S. and refuse to accept the Greenpeace also found had said: ‘‘I held the toxic same in the case of Union extremely high levels of toxins waste in my hand. I am still Carbide in India”, asked the like carbaryl, lindane and alpha alive and not coughing. It’s 25 CSE Director. napthol in the soil and water years after the gas tragedy. Let Statesman/ Kolkata/ 02/12/09 around the factory areas. us move ahead.’’ Residents of 18 gasaffected Narain argued that the Groundwater around areas continue to consume the Union government was water that hese surveys have ignorant about the difference leak site is still termed ‘‘contaminated’’. In July betw een acute toxicity and contaminated: Report 1998, Union Carbide handed chronic toxicity. ‘‘No one has over the factory to the Union explained to Jairam Ramesh ‘Pesticide Level 40 Times Over government with 8,000 tonne of that when victims inhaled the Standard Even 3Km From toxic effluent and 10,000 tonne gas and died, it was acute Plant’ of toxic silt in ponds. Former toxicity. Chronic toxicity, on the Union Carbide employee T R other hand, is a longterm slow Suchandana Gupta | TNN Chouhan had told a US court poisoning. We are talking about Bhopal: Yet another report on that between 1969 and 1984, chronic toxicity and its harmful the persisting disastrous effects the factory had dumped over effects on the body,’’ she said. of the gas tragedy has claimed 1,900 tonne of chemicals in Hiroshima-like memorial that the erstwhile pesticide and around the factory. Another planned factory of Union Carbide, from 390 tonne of toxic waste, which The premises of the defunct where the toxic methyl was the raw components for Union Carbide factory will be isocyanate leaked 25 years the pesticide, has been packed opened for public from January, ago, has been contaminating and kept for disposal. NGOs a senior minister said on the soil and underground water claim that this poisonous waste Tuesday. “The state also has in Madhya Pradesh’s capital. has spread through the soil and plans to build Hiroshima-like The new report by New water making Bhopal gas mem orial there depicting Delhi-based Centre for Science tragedy ‘‘not a one-time but a detailed account of the and Environment (CSE) continuing disaster for human disaster,” Bhopal gas tragedy released here on Tuesday said life”. relief and rehabilitation minister the ‘‘groundwater in areas even Babulal Gaur said. He said the

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster state has sought Rs 116 crore ailments, is the only hope to so poor that free medical from the Centre to build a fight against extreme poverty. facilities available at nearby memorial for the victims in the Unlike Lachho Bai, her Sambhavana Trust Clinic or factory premises. PTI neighbour Jagdish Ahirwar Jawahar Lal Nehru Hospital Times/ of India/ Delhi/ looks a healthy teenager. But in and Research Centre are miles 02/12/09 fact he is suffering from a away. “Aane Jaane ka kiraya growth-related disorder. The kahan se layen? (From where 25 years on... litany of disaster has gifted him diabetes should I arrange to-and -fro fare at an early age. H e is a man of to nearby hospital)?” he asks. complaints continues 22 and takes a full dose of In the faces of all problems, insulin each day to maintain his authorities keep on chewing fat. Shashikant Trivedi sugar, mocking facilities of “We pay crores of rupees to As governments and NGOs world-class Bhopal Memorial Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer fight on contamination levels, Hospital and Research Centre, Hospital for free cancer Bhopal gas tragedy victims its expert doctors and world treatment of gas victims, Rs 45 continue to die a slow death class diagnosis medicines. No crore annually for all six gas Lachho Bai, who lives in a medicine can make him taller. relief hospitals of 634-bed hovel made of planks, is a “You tell me which doctor capacity. These hospitals are towering challenge to our should I consult, with this fully equipped with ultra- politicians who so often make swollen hand and face?” he modern medical facilities where hollow promises to the Bhopal asks. we provide medical care to gas tragedy victims. She also His three-and -a-half feet 4,000 outdoor patients and can contest any analysis, sister Renu is also a teenager 30,000 indoor patients each research reports, fund figures in appearance. At 27, a mother day, perform 2.5 lakh and above all arrest warrants of two, she is struggling to investigations and 10,000 issued in ‘favour’ of Warren survive without medical aids. special investigations each Anderson. Renu has discontinued all ye ar. What else can we do for Unfort unately, at the age of medicines and now has pinned the patients?” director of Kamla 51, thanks to the effects of her hopes on God. “I have Nehru Hospital Dr KK Dubey methyl isocyanate (MIC), consumed tons of medicines. said. psycho -socio disorders, mental How long should I keep on He may be right, but agonies and impaired vision consuming? We are very poor, Nafees, a young man of 32 has have made her too ill to speak we cannot afford medicines now few options left for her against anyone. Reduced to and harassment at government sister, who is suffering from a barebones, she seems to be in hospitals,” she said. “I do not nephrological disorder her eighties. breast-feed my child, otherwise multicystic kidney displagia, On December 2, 1984 when he will also fall sick,” she which she had developed in the worst-ever industrial added.Among 25 -lakh patients 2004. “I have arranged more disaster took place, her fate treated at six government than 116 dialysis sessions at a was sealed. She was no longer hospitals during 1985-2008, private hospital for my sister the cheerful lady in the narrow Lachho Bai never figured. Like Shabana, who was already lanes of Jaypee Nagar near the her, many unknown victims are suffering from various ailments Union Carbide India Limited languishing in some filthy lanes after the gas disaster. Now I factory. For all those who of twenty localities near the hardly have any option, I am survived the disaster, cheer Union Carbide’s closed unit, ready to donate my kidney to was something which no longer consuming toxic water, inhaling her but I cannot afford the existed in their lexicon. At 16 poisonous toxic dust and medical expenses,” said she was married to hotel waiter eventually falling seriously or Nafees. Laxmi Narayan and used to terminally sick. Many have Business Standard/ Delhi/ assist him financially by rolling developed complicated 02/12/09 bidis. Lachho lost her four diseases years after the children, the fifth one was a tragedy. Vasheer Khan (60) Chronic toxicity from daughter two-year-old when the has developed an unidentified venomous night pushed people disease in his foot. He was a Union Carbide’ like her into darkness. skilled truck driver few years “She cannot speak, ago but resigned from his job. Milind Ghatwai sometimes she smiles, “Jab aankh se di khta nahi hai A day before the Bhopal gas sometimes cries. She lost her to kya truck chala kar kisi ki tragedy completes 25 years, mind 15 years ago,” recalls jaan leta (Should I have killed the Delhi-based Centre for Hazira Bi, an activist and someone, when I know I have a Science and Environment survivor of the tragedy. For poor eyesight?”) he said. Now (CSE) claimed that chemicals Laccho, her husband, a he is on mercy of his sons who dumped in the Union Carbide labourer now and also a gas are also jobless and sick. He is plant continue to contaminate victim, suffering from various land and groundwater. 74

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster The Centre came out with its 25 yrs on, Bhopal Corporation (UCC) at the time findings, based on laboratory of the lethal December 2-3 analysis of samples collected in victims' fight for methyl isocyanate leak from October from the plant’s justice continues Carbide’s pesticide plant in premises and surrounding Bhopal and faced charges on areas, on Tuesday . YASMEEN MOHIUDDIN many counts, including The Madhya Pradesh Laccho Bai's life has gone from culpable homicide. The UCC government, however, has bad to worse in the 25 years chief, or “Accused no 1” in a declared the plant safe and since the Bhopal gas tragedy, December 1, 1987 chargesheet was about to throw open its when fumes escaped from a filed by the Central Bureau of doors for the public before it pesticide plant in the central Investigation against him and backed out in view of the outcry Indian city, killing thousands 11 others, including UCC, USA; from NGOs. Even Union instantly. Huddled against the Union Carbide (Eastern), Hong Environment and Forests dirt floor of her home -- a shack Kong; and Union Carbide India Minister Jairam Ramesh had of wooden planks propped Limited (UCIL), had been declared that the waste stored against a brick wall with a tin placed under house arrest soon in the plant was no longer roof -a thin white mucus covers after the disaster but won his hazardous but apologised after Laccho's eyes, the apparent release on a promise to return organisations and activists result of exposure to more than to India to stand trial. working for the gas tragedy 40 tonnes of methyl isocyanate Neither Mr. Anderson nor victims criticised him for his gas that filled the Carbide would turn up in the “insensitivity.” The state neighbourhood on December 3, Indian court and for obvious government had cited reports 1984. Like many other reason. The toxic gas leak had from organisatio ns like the survivors living close to the caused a human tragedy of NEERI and Defence Research Union Carbide facility, she and unprecedented proportions: and Development her family saw none of the Around 4,000 (unofficially Establishment (DRDE). multi-million dollar settlement 8,000) immediate deaths and However, CEC’s Sunita package meant to help those over a lakh people permanently Narain said the above reports affected. "People told us we disabled. In the years to come, were misleading since they could apply for compensation," the death toll from long-term talked of “acute toxicity”, which Laccho's husband, Laxmi exposure would mount to meant adverse effects Narayan, said. "They took our 20,000, tens of thousands of occurring within 14 days of name down, but we never saw children would have birth administration of a substance. a penny." defects, and many millions “It’s a case of ‘chronic toxicity’,” Asian Age/ Delhi/ 02/12/09 would fall gravely ill from she said adding that continuous drinking water contaminated by exposure leads to poisoning. 25 years and still the massive amounts of “The claim that the factory was waiting chemical waste dumped in and not dangerous because one around the Carbide factory could touch the waste was grounds. UCC and its CEO misleading because the poison Vidya Subrahmaniam would have had hell to pay had takes effect slowly.” The Anderson saga is one they chosen to face charges. She said the samples more reminder that the Mr. Anderson had been in collected from within the factory powerful can always count on hiding for ten years when were highly contaminated and official help. Greenpeace, and before that a added that the alarming finding In the fall of 2002, British newspaper, tracked him was that the surface water Greenpeace campaigner down. Mr. Harell would remark samples had a pesticide Casey Harell paid a surprise after the meeting: “If a team of concentration of 0.2805 PPM, visit to the New York State journalists and Greenpeace 561 times more than the Indian private estate of Warren managed to track down India’s standard. “The reason this is Anderson, and found him living most wanted man in a matter of extremely worrying is because a “life of luxury”. Nothing odd days, how seriously have the we have found the toxins in the about the discovery except that U.S. authorities tried to find him groundwater almost three kms in the eyes of the law Mr. in all these years? The U.S. away,” CSE’s associate Anderson was untraceable, and has reacted swiftly on curbing director Chandra Bhushan said had been so since 1992 when the financial corporate crimes Indian Express/ Delhi/ an Indian court, exasperated by of Enron and WorldCom, but 02/12/09 his refusal to heed multiple has clearly not made much of summons for trial, declared him an effort to find Anderson, a fugitive from justice. responsible for the deaths of Mr. Anderson was chairman 20,000 people in India.” and chief executive officer of The searing comment the United States- underscored the dubious role headquartered Union Carbide 75

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster played by the world’s most on, that they must put their has elapsed, almost 17 years, powerful democracy in tragic past behind them. It is a between the event and the protecting the key perpetrator familiar story. Sikh victims of Indian government’s decision to of the world’s worst industrial the 1984 pogrom have heard make a formal request for disaster. Seventeen years after this nugget of wisdom as have extradition.” In other words, it he was proclaimed an Muslim victims of Ayodhya was the fault of the victims that “absconder”, Mr. Anderson, 1991 and Gujarat 2002. It is as Mr. Anderson had grown old now 88, continues to elude the if the perpetrator of a criminal while the Indian government long reach of the law. However, act somehow becomes less took its own time — despite it is not just that the wheels of guilty if he holds out long countless petitions to justice showed no inclination to enough. successive governments and move in the U.S. The Indian Astonishingly, this was the prayers before the Bhopal government has been no less official stand taken by the District Court — to take up the lethargic in bringing Mr. Indian government with regard extradition question with the Anderson to justice. It sent out to Mr. Anderson. On August 6, U.S. government. a formal request for his 2001, then Attorney-General Yet the more the extradition in May 2003, close Soli Sorabjee advised the government dithered, the to two decades after the crime. Vajpayee government in writing stronger was the survivors’ As Bhopal activist Nityanand against pursuing Mr. determination to fight to the Jayaraman would tell The Anderson’s extradition. He end. They organised Hindu on the 25th anniversary argued that it would be difficult themselves under various of the gas leak: “In the case of for the Indian government to banners and fought Anderson, the [Indian] satisfy the “probable cause” simultaneous battles on many government’s heart is just not requirement necessary for fronts — in India as well as in on the job.” securing Mr. Anderson’s the U.S. Each setback Indeed, the Bhopal saga is extradition. As the phrase itself spawned a further round of a painful reminder of the suggests, “probable cause” protest marches, hunger strikes unconscionable way justice means something more than a and petition -making. In plays out for the poor in this mere suspicion but less than November 1999, survivor country — with victims fighting the quantum of evidence organisations filed a class a battle so long and hard that required for conviction. action suit against UCC and justice has little meaning when Mr. Anderson exercised Mr. Anderson in the Southern it finally arrives. Following an managerial control and District Court of New York, unjust settlement reached supervision over the operations charging them with violating between Carbide and the of UCIL, he approved and international human rights law, Indian government in 1989 (the ratified the standards in design, environmental law and Indian government sued the safety and operations at UCIL, international criminal law. corporation for $3 billion but which were far inferior Federal Judge John F. Keenan settled for 15 per cent of the compared to UCC’s plant in would twice throw the case out amount), survivors were West Virginia, he knew that before agreeing to hear the awarded a lifetime average Carbide had sent a team to case again following a partially compensation of Rs.25,000, far inspect the Bhopal plant before successful appeal in the below international the disaster which noted Second Circuit Court of compensation standards. But leaking valves in the plant and Appeals (New York). even this meagre amount warned of the “potential for the A fresh twist in the case would reach the awardees after release of toxic materials”. To came with the 2001 acquisition long delays, protracted red tape show Mr. Anderson prima facie of UCC by The Dow Chemical and bribes paid to lawyers, guilty of a grossly irresponsible Company. The latter persisted middlemen and touts. act that killed, maimed and with the lie that it had acquired Compensation would not reach continues to cause grievous the assets of UCC without its some survivors until 2005, and hurt to millions of people was liabilities. It also refused to till date no compensation has hardly a huge challenge. surrender Carbide (now its been awarded to those born Mr. Sorabjee thought subsidiary) for trial. To add with disabilities and those otherwise. Worse, he also insult to injury, Dow also landed drinking contaminated water. pointed to “humanitarian law suits on protestors who The struggle for considerations” likely to be besieged its offices in India, compensati on at least got cited by the U.S. government shouting, “Dow, you now have somewhere, unlike l`affaire against Mr. Anderson’s Union Carbide’s blood on your Anderson which shows no extradition. “The reasons are hands”. Dow claimed $10,000 signs of coming to fruition. In all humanitarian concerns, such in compensation for alleged these years, the gas leak as Mr. Anderson’s age, said to loss of work resulting from the survivors have got used to be 81 years old, and [his] demonstrations. being told that they must move health and length of time that

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster In all this, the CJM’s court in India one last time — to stand although the actual number of the Bhopal District Court trial for a crime he committed a victims has turned out to be five remained as the lone flicker of quarter of a century ago. times as large as the group for hope for the Bhopal gas Hindu/ Delhi/ 02/12/09 whom the compensation was survivors. The court struck blow worked out; not the government after blow for them. From the Bhopal tragedy needs that distributed compensation 1988 letters rogatory issued to 20 years after the accident and the U.S. administration seeking closure arbitrarily terminated a judicial permission for the CBI to probe; not the Indian Coun cil of inspect the safety systems at Dow And Industry Must Take Medical Research, which UCC’s West Virginia plant to The Lead discontinued its studies for proclaiming Mr. Anderson an mysterious reasons; not absconder in 1992 to FOR most of us, the Bhopal industry, which turned its back persistently seeking information gas tragedy is an industrial on the accident. It was easy for from the CBI on the sta tus of accident, in which, 25 years Dow to step into this breach extradition proceedings to ago to this day, large quantities and do something tangible to quashing the agency’s 2002 of poisonous methyl isocyanate help the victims of the world’ attempt to dilute the charge escaped from the Union worst industrial disaster — as against Mr. Anderson from Carbide factory at Bhopal, an act of good faith, even if it culpable homicide (punishable killing thousands of people and did not itself play a role in with imprisonment up to 10 maiming the lives of half a creating it. Instead, Dow has years) to criminal negligence million others. However, that chosen to pretend that its (punishable with imprisonment was only the beginning of the philanthropy with the Jaipur up to two years), the District tragedy, which continues to foot would wash away the Court was as pro -active as the unfold as a saga of official Bhopal stain. It still is possible Indian government was laid callousness, political and for Dow to heed the call of 24 back. administrative ineptitude, legal US Congressmen to make The CBI’s 2002 attempt at procrastination, botched amends. And for Indian dilution of charges was of a medical study of the effects of industry to join in, not because piece with Mr. Sorabjee’s 2001 mass poisoning, large-scale, it is legally obliged to, but advice to the government prolonged human suffering and because it is a stakeholder in against seeking Mr. Anderson’s its cynical exploitation by a few India and in this country’s extradition. However, with the and overall failure to leave the humanity. Bhopal magistrate standing accident behind and move Economic Times/ Delhi/ firm, the CBI was left with no ahead. Natural degradation of 03/12/09 option but to request the chemicals has cleaned up the Ministry of External Affairs to factory site, to the extent it can, 25 yrs on, Bhopal seek Mr. Anderson’s rather than any organised extradition, which the MEA did, attempt by any agency. An lives in minds & lungs obviously reluctantly, in May initia tive by Ratan Tata to clean (edito rial) 2003. up the toxic site proved In July 2004, the U.S. stillborn. American chemical In case we do have another government expectedly giant Dow, which purchased major industrial accident, rejected the Indian request. It Union Carbide 16 years after Bhopal serves as an example stated that the request did not the Bhopal accident, continues of what not to do by way of meet the requirements of to encounter public hostility on legal, political, administrative Article 2(1) and 9 (3) of the account of this failure of the and medical remediation, says extradition treaty between the system to achieve closure at Praveen S Thampi U.S. and India. least on those aspects of the What now? On July 22, tragedy on which closure is IN SANER societies, the 82- 2009, the CJM’s court in possible. Not that Dow is acre compound at Kali Parade, Bhopal issued a fresh warrant blameless on this count. When Berasia Road, in Bhopal would of arrest against Mr. Anderson, it bought Union Carbide, it have been a public monument and ordered the CBI to produce bought into its moral and legal where you would be compelled him before the court for trial. liabilities, of which the plight of to bow down, probably stand a Unfortunately, the meandering five lakh victims form a large moment in silence, praying for path the case has taken so far chunk. Dow has chosen not to the more than 10,000 men, gives no cause for hope. recognise this, taking an women and children who fell Indeed, it is difficult to believe entirely legalistic view of things. prey to the toxic fumes that that the Indian government, As as far as the victims are billowed out from here on a even less its U.S. counterpart, concerned, no one has played midnight 25 years ago. Instead, will persuade the 88-year-old fair — not the courts that put stray dogs, grazing goats and a “Accused no 1” to come to their seal on a paltry monetary police contingent greet you at settlement that remains final 77

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster the Union Carbide factory, amid sums even thinner instead of The ICMR, the country’s clumsily drawn chalk lines on adding to the corpus? apex body for formulation, co- the ground meant to keep Going by the rupee-dollar ordination and promotion of permitted visitors away from exchange rate of 1989 — on biomedical research, started its touching the rusting carcass of which the compensations were study on the medical effects of the plant, which was set up in meted out even as late as in Bhopal in 1985. It 1969 to produce Sevin, a 2004 — the sum that Union commissioned 24 projects, but pesticide key to India’s green Carbide deposited with the when it closed the Bhopal revolution. government amounts to Rs 713 chapter in 1994, only two of the If nothing else, the mess crore. That’s an average of Rs studies had seen the light of captures what Bhopal’s 12,410 per victim doled out the day. balancesheet looks like after after almost a decade of the Dr N R Bhandari was the quarter of a century. Victims disaster, an abysmally low sum resident medical officer in the taken for a ride by their own for the affected families, most Hamidia Hospital in Bhopal governments, a criminal justice of them rendered too when thousands poured into its system that has failed to debilitated to ear n a livelihood emergency wards on the deliver, and the continuing on their own. midnight of December 3, 1984. contamination at the plant site Stack it up against the Uphar Later, he was drafted into the abandoned by the polluter — tragedy in 1997 where a movie ICMR team that had started its Union Carbide, now part of theatre went up in flames killing research on the long-term Dow Chemicals — as well as 59 and injuring 104 in the heart effects of Bhopal. the regulator, the state and of New Delhi. Each of the A pediatrician, Dr Bhandari central governments. That’s victims was paid between Rs says that 2,500 pregnant three Cs — compensation, 15 lakh and Rs 18 lakh, and the women had suffered serious contamination and criminal injured Rs 1 lakh. And since the exposure to MIC on December justice — that keep the 25- cheques were given out in 3. His team had followed even yearold catastrophe alive, 2003 — still a year before the the last one of them to deliver, posing questions on the moral last Bhopal compensation was on October 1, 1985. “The gas fibre of the Indian society and paid — the Uphaar victims didn’t seem to affect new-borns the sensitivity of its successive were awarded a 9% interest on to any alarming levels,” he governments. Then there are their compensations from the says, adding that these kids the mysteries. date of filing the claims. should have been tracked till On February 15, 1989, the Union Carbide’s $470 million the pre-puberty stage to make government of India reached a would be worth some Rs 2,847 any concrete observations. Till settlement with Union Carbide crore, assuming a dollar date, ICMR hasn’t given any for $470 million climbing down interest rate of 2% per annum explanation what happened to from its demand of $3.3 billion. for 15 years and conversion at those 22 reports, which, Incidentally, just a day before, the 2004 exchange rate of Rs according to Dr Bhandari, could after a long-drawn out process, 45 to the dollar. So where is the have helped the victims get the administration in West rest of the money that should custom-made care since they Virginia, US, had given its still be left in the account since would have triggered a wider permission to Indian only the Rs 713 crore had been debate within the global investigators to inspect the distributed any way? Madhya medical community. ‘sister’ Union Carbide plant at Pradesh’s minister for gas From where the ICMR left, South Charleston to assess the rehabilitation and relief says Dr N Banerjee has taken over, disparity in safety standards there is not a single paisa left in with his underpaid, under - followed at the two units. The the kitty to give out to anyone. staffed team. He is the chief plant has since changed hands “We have done our job,” says research officer at the Centre to Bayer CropScience, but Babulal Gaur, a former chief for Rehabilitation Studies, the continues to be America’s minister of the state. only body conducting studies biggest storage site for the IN FACT, the first nail in the on the long -term impacts of lethal methyl isocyanate. Bhopal coffin was struck by the Bhopal. A part of the state’s While the official figures still state government itself. Three ministry of gas relief & stand at 1,05,000 victims days after the tragedy, it set up rehabilitation, Dr Banerjee and (including 3,000 dead), the the Bhopal Poisonous Gas his 46-member team — 25 of government records show Leakage Inquiry Commission them go out to the field to compensation was paid for headed by Justice N K Singh, collect data — live a hand-to- 5,74,367 (5,207 dead) people. then sitting judge of the mouth existence. The entire If the number of victims were Madhya Pradesh High Court. CRS, an organisation that even five times higher than the The commission was wound up the most critical NGOs original estimates, why did the a year later without any operating in Bhopal admit is administration slice the paltry explanation. doing a commendable job given its constraints, continues

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster to be on the temporary payroll Nurpur village under Masoori staked his claim on the land of the state government 15 police station were involved in and moved court. But when the years after it was set up. A a property dispute. Both the court’s verdict came in favour process to automate the set-up families staked claim to sixand- of Bhopal Singh, Ranvir’s men and convert the data currently a-half bighas of land. While one attacked Bhopal’s son stored in paper folders in family was headed by one Somveer. However, Somveer dozens of steel almirahs is Bhopal Singh the other was survived the attack and later underway. headed by one Ranvir. murdered Ranvir and one of his The ministry has a network On November 25, four acquaintances. In a revenge of hospitals that give free care women belonging to Bhopal’s attack, Somveer was later to anyone who has received family — his wife Chandroo, his murdered by Ranvir’s kin and compensation as a gas victim, daughters Siksha and Sharda, Siksha was the prime witness but both Dr Bhandari and Dr and his nephew’s wife Bijendri in the case. Banerjee say a gas -victim and — were shot dead by several Times of India/ Delhi/ a non-gas victim diagnosed assailants when they were 03/12/09 with, say, pulmonary coming back from their crop tuberculosis, cannot be treated field. During investigation police PM promises cleanup in the same way. “The normal found that one of the deceased, person doesn’t carry the Siksha, was a prime witness in of abandoned plant, burden of history, but the gas - another case and with her help to affected victim’s lungs would have death the trial proceedings of already been damaged before that case was going nowhere. New Delhi: On the eve of the he contracted TB. So the cure Based on the complaint 25th anniversary of the Bhopal just can’t be the same,” Dr lodged by Bhopal Singh and gas tragedy, Prime Minister Banerjee says. police’s investigation into the Manmohan Singh on Today, Bhopal is a city murder cases, an FIR was Wednesday promised early ridden with quacks offering lodged against 13 people — all clean-up of the deserted Union steroid injections to those with of whom were arrested later by Carbide site and continued breathing problems. The low Ghaziabad police. support to the affected oxygen levels in blood, a fallout On Wednesday, the court population. of the gas impact, makes the found six of the accused In a statement, he said that patient constantly fatigued, and directly involved in the murder. the government would take quacks often rush in with The convicts are Bunty, Kale, steps to provide safe drinking instant gratification. Pappu, Inderpal, Jitendra and water to the people in the Economic Times/ D elhi/ Kiran Pal. The three who were affected area and support 03/12/09 acquitted by the court are medical research to help those Rupan Singh, Rampal Sharma carrying the scar of the deadly 6 get death for killing and Sanjay Sinha. The rest of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) in the 13 accused died due to their body systems over the four women illness or old age. Two others generations. died in police encounters “The families that suffered Victims Were Killed In 2005 during the course of the trial. and lost their dear ones can Following Land Feud Between A senior police officer never really be fully Two Families involved in the investigations compensated,” he said. Singh, hailed the court’s decision and however, said his government Dwaipayan Ghosh | TNN said, ‘‘It was one of the most was committed to resolving all Atrial court in Ghaziabad on brutal killings investigated by outstanding issues related to Wednesday sentenced six Ghaziabad police. We would the tragedy. convicts to death in a four-year - have been pleased if all the “We owe it our fellow citizens old murder case in which four accused were convicted. We to put in place procedures and women were brutally killed over hope this acts as a deterrent.’’ precautions to ensure that such land dispute. Additional District Meanwhile, lawyers a tragedy never occurs again,” Judge A K Srivastav found the representing the accused told he said. accused guilty of murdering the TOI that they would appeal Times of India/ Delhi/ women on November 25, 2005. against the verdict in Allahabad 03/12/09 Terming it the rarest of rare High Court after they get a cases, the judge held that all written copy of the verdict. Bhopal poison still the accused deserved death According to police, the feud sentence. Three others — also started after Bhopal Singh took lingers - Toxic traces arrested in the same seven bighas of land from one in water case — were acquitted for want Ramnath, who was the elder of evidence. brother of Ranvir. Ramnath A physically challenged boy in According to the police died without an heir and Ranvir Bhopal on Tuesday sings at a chargesheet, two families from 79

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster ceremony to mark the 25th The CSE said the residues about 20,000 people died and anniversary of the Union were likely to contribute to about 5.7 lakh suffered bodily Carbide gas leak. (Reuters) “slow poisoning” of the damage, making it by far the New Delhi, Dec. 1: Toxic population exposed to the world’s worst industrial disaster residues from the Union contaminated water. ever. Carbide factory that spewed a Chlorinated benzene poisonous gas into Bhopal’s compounds may adversely Many who breathed the highly environment 25 years ago affect blood cells and the liver, toxic cocktail that night suffered continue to contaminate soil while organochlorine pesticides a horrible death with multiple and water in the city, a non- can lead to cancer. organ failure. Those who government organisation The CSE analysis did not survived have suffered multiple claimed today. take into account residues diseases for 25 years. A report The Centre for Science and elsewhere as control samples. of the Gas Tragedy Relief Environment (CSE) said it has “We didn’t have to do that Department of the state says detected unacceptably high because we were looking at that the morbidity rate levels of pesticide residues in residues that are signature (occurrence of ailments) is groundwater samples from an degradation products of the nearly 20% among gas- area up to 3km from the chemicals that were made at affected persons compared to factory, which was the site of the factory,” said Kushal about 5% among the the world’s worst industrial Yadav, a CSE analyst. unaffected population. disaster in 1984. The Madhya Pradesh A tank in the factory had government’s Bhopal Gas Following the disaster, there leaked a gas called methyl Tragedy Relief and was an international outcry for isocyanate on the night of Rehabilitation Department has relief for the victims and December 2-3, 1984, turning spent Rs 29 crore over the past punishment to those the city into a gas chamber, 18 years on environmental responsible for the gas killing an estimated 3,700 rehabilitation such as planting leakage. The pesticide plant persons and causing lung injury trees, creating green belts and from where the gas leaked and illness to tens of thousands improving water supply belonged to Union Carbide more. programmes. But it has India, a subsidiary of the US- The CSE analysed 11 classified the disposal of based Union Carbide groundwater samples from hazardous industrial wastes Company. They were asked to neighbourhoods around the and residues lying in the Union pay compensation and arrange factory in October this year and Carbide plant as “work under for medical treatment. The found all samples contained progress”. matter immediately got potentially toxic residues of Narain said the waste embroiled in legal specific chemicals that were stored in the factory was only a controversies. Thus began a being made in the factory, the small part of the contamination long and painful struggle of the NGO’s officials said. The issue. “The focus of the victims for compensation, concentrations of these government to just dispose of medical attention and residues were 1.1 to 38.6 times the stored waste and ignore rehabilitation that has higher than limits prescribed by site contamination is not going spluttered along for a quarter standard-setting authorities in to solve environmental century. India, the CSE said. problems from the factory,” she In February 1989, the A water sample from a said in a statement issued in Supreme Court announced that hand-operated pump in the Bhopal today. it was approving a settlement area had the highest level of Telegraph/ Calcutta/ 03/12/09 for Bhopal victims under which carbaryl — 110 times the limit. Union Carbide agreed to pay Soil samples from within the Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Rs 713 crore for compensation factory also had high levels of to victims, while the carbaryl and other Endless nightmare government agreed to drop all contaminants, the NGO said. criminal cases against it. “The factory site in Bhopal is Twenty-five years have passed However, due to intense public leading to chronic toxicity — since that night of terror and shock and anger at letting off continuous tiny exposure death in Bhopal, which saw a the culprits, the court agreed to leading to poisoning,” said cloud of deadly gases explode reopen the criminal cases in Sunita Narain, director of the out of a faulty tank in a Gas 1991. Two installments of CSE. The chemical residues in victims pesticide factory and compensation — of up to Rs the soil are leaching into the silently spread into the homes 25,000 each — have been groundwater and getting of sleeping people. Although no given till now to the injured, one transported away from the site. official count of casualties has in 1994 and the next in 2004. ever been done, estimates based on hospital and rehabilitation records show that 80

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster N D Jayaprakash of the Bhopal Sadhana Pradhan, who has with me and my brothers and Gas Peedit Sangharsh Sahyog worked among the gas victims sisters after the cry went out Samiti (BGPSSS), one of the since the disaster in 1984 that gas was leaking from the groups fighting for the rights of points out that no line of factory,” he says. gas victims, calls this a treatment was ever evolved. They have all got massive fraud because the “The government has treated compensation of about Rs number of gas -affected the victims on an ad hoc basis,” 25,000 each. The family used it persons was arbitrarily fixed by she says. Medical records are to build a new two-room house the government at 105,000, yet not centralized as on the other side of the city, far including about 3,000 dead. In recommended by the from the gasaffected area. The reality, nearly 20,000 people monitoring committee set up by money also helped in getting have died, and 5.7 lakh have the Supreme Court in 2004. As the sisters married off. Prem suffered injuries. The a result, doctors have no idea doesn’t know anything about compensation amount — Rs about the patients’ history. the various cases in the courts, 713 crore, paid by Union “This has led to development of the issues of cleaning up the Carbide — was meant for multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB contamination, or criminal about 1 lakh persons but has in many cases,” says Dr liability. He is one of the new been distributed among nearly Saxena, who spent 11 years in generation from the affected 6 lakh people. Of the Rs 713 the government’s TB hospital in families that have moved on crores, Rs 113 crores was for Bhopal. mentally. loss of livestock and property. Another dimension of the Many like him want to move The balance Rs 600 crore ongoing tragedy of Bhopal is on. But, the effects of that night distributed among 5.74 lakh the poisonous chemical waste still drag them down. For gas- persons works out to about Rs lying around in the abandoned affected people, proper medical 12,410 per victim on average. premises of the pesticide plant. treatment and jobs are the two In contrast, in the Uphaar Several committees have main issues. “If we or our tragedy in Delhi, families of inspected it and found 44,000 children had got suitable jobs, those who died got between Rs kgs of tarry residues and at least the future would not 15 lakh to Rs 18 lakh each, 25,000 kgs of alpha naphthol have been so dark,” says while injured persons got Rs 1 lying in the open since 1984. Sharif, who lives across the lakh each. In addition, they got Various studies have Carbide factory and is unable interest at the rate of 9% per established that the soil, to work because of annum for the roughly six years ground water, vegetables and breathlessness. His two sons that the legal proceedings took. even breast milk have traces of couldn’t continue their studies Stung by this injustice, the toxic chemicals. after he stopped working. Now, victims approached the apex Abdul Jabbar Khan of the they work as coolies, he rues. court, which told them to Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila Raj Kumar is an auto-driver. approach the state Udyog Sangathan (BGPMUS) At the time of the gas leak, he government. In Bhopal, the says that actually there is much was 23, and worked in the Welfare Commissioner rejected more poisonous waste, which Union Carbide factory as a their demand. They appealed the company used to routinely maintenance man. He came off to the MP high court. On bury in the premises since duty at 9.30pm on the fateful November 30 this year, the HC 1969. “There is no piped water night. “On hearing the uproar, I too dismissed the petition. “We supply. People still use rushed back to the factory to will go back to the Supreme contaminated groundwater help. But Pandeji, the security Court,” says Jayaprakash. daily,” he says. guard, turned me back saying Even after 25 years, gas Times of India/ Delhi/ save your lives while there’s victims are suffering serious 03/12/09 still time,” he recounts. He health problems. On an spent the night helping people average, 6,000 gas -affec ted For some, no light at flee the place. “I developed a patients visit hospitals in tumour in my abdomen. It was Bhopal every day, that is, about end of tunnel removed at Hamidia hospital. 2 million visits per year. The But I started getting breathless government adopted a one- Subodh Varma at the slightest exertion. I am size-fits-all policy for Bhopal: Prem is a strapping an electrician, but I can’t climb categorisation of injuries — a young man with combed -back a pole to fix a fault,” he says. person with compromised lungs wet hair and an earstud. He Recent research by Dr may ultimately develop other works as a driver for a car-hire Ganesh of the Cancer Registry diseases, besides being unable agency. He was born just a few in Bhopal has confirmed that to work fully. But such months before the Carbide gas genetic changes in gas- distinctions were not disaster hit Bhopal, and the affected people lead to maintained and meagre poisonous gas affected his increased incidence of cancer, compensation was doled out. whole family. “We used to stay infertility and spontaneous in Govindpura. My mother fled 81

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster abortions. “Chromosomal Haliman Bi is over 80 years old. High level of studies of 1,131 cases since She and her husband live in a 1996 show typical changes in dark room, with hardly any contamination found gas-affected people,” he possessions, in J P Nagar. She in Bhopal explains. gets short of breath even as According to Dr H H Trivedi, she talks. Her husband, Abdul A student holds a placard member of the Monitoring Rahman, was a tonga driver. during a protest against the Committee set up by the “We had four horses and delay in justice for Bhopal gas Supreme Court, lungs were several goats. All died that tragedy victims in Bangalore on recognized as the primary night. Since then, we are like Wednesday. AFP Groundwater target of methyl isocyanate, the this,” she says angrily. Her four in areas around the Bhopal gas gas that leaked from the sons do not provide much help. tragedy site contain almost 40 Carbide factory. This caused The old couple together get a times more pesticides than breathing problems, and also pension of about Rs 400 from allowed under the Indian laid the body open to many the government. standards, the Centre for diseases like TB. As she talks, she runs a lice- Science and Environment has The monitoring committee comb through her short - claimed. has submitted seven reports so cropped hair, peers at it and The Pollution Monitoring far to the government, but with a deft click, kills the louse Lab of the NGO tested water minimal action has resulted. — except that there is no louse. and soil samples from in and Crucial issues like a centralized Only she can see them, nobody around the Union Carbide case registry with case else can, explains her factory, and found high histories available online have grandson Assu. “I have been concentrations of pesticides still not been implemented. troubled by these lice since the and heavy metals. Since June 2008, the gas tragedy,” she moans. This All 11 groundwater samples Monitoring Committee itself is crawling sensation under the collected from colonies around defunct as its chairman, Dr O P scalp is a typical symptom of a the UCIL factory were found to Mehra died, and no psychiatric condition, explain be contaminated with replacement has been found doctors. chlorinated benzene yet. Rahul Sharma, a clinical compounds and organochlorine At a meeting of doctors psychologist, has recently pesticides, the test results working with gas victims, completed a survey of 200 showed. organized by the Madhya affected househol ds spread "The reason this is Pradesh Vigyan Sabha last over some of the worst affected extremely worrying is because week, several doctors express colonies. Over 73% of the we have found the toxins in the bitterness at the lack of surveyed families have groundwater we have checked coordination and planning in incomes below Rs 1,500 per from almost 3 km below the dealing with the patients. Dr G month. “They have to spend Rs factory," said Chandra D Tiwari said that the 300-400 on medicines every Bhushan, associate director, in- government procured a CT month. They are thus being charge of the CSE laboratory. scan machine for Rs 1.5 crore forced to remain poor,” he The Bhopal gas tragedy but has not yet provided a says. occurred on December 3, 1984 printer which costs just Rs Most of the half-baked when the plant accidentally 1,500. systems set up to help the released Methyl Isocyanate Although there is a victims have become diluted. (MIC) gas, killing around 5000 government order that all gas “The government spent Rs 70 people and permanently victims should be treated free crore on setting up 152 incapacitating many others. of cost at all government industrial sheds at Govindpura, All the samples collected hospitals, only at the Bhopal where gas victims were to set from within the factory were Memorial Hospital & Research up enterprises. Not one of them found to be highly Centre (BMHRC) is treatment is today run by a gas-affected contaminated. The waste free. In other hospitals, charges person,” says Abd ul Jabbar, an stored within the premises had are levied. Even in the Rs 600 activist. An Industrial Training Carbaryl content of 9,856 parts crore BMHRC, there is a Institute was set up for children per million (ppm) and mercury private option where charges from these areas. But its content of 1,065 ppm, Bhushan are levied. Mohammed Saeed, certificates were not said. a gas victim, says doctors don’t recognized. Now, the ITI is The concentration of care in the free OPD, but if you open for everybody. pesticides was 1.1 to 38.6 pay Rs 150 and go to the Times of India/ Delhi/ times higher than the Indian private section, the same 03/12/09 standard, the study claimed. doctor will give you proper "The profile of chemicals attention. found within the UCIL factory and in the waste disposal site 82

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster of UCIL matches the chemicals about 5% among the The balance Rs 600 crore found in the groundwater unaffected population. distributed among 5.74 lakh sample in the colonies outside. Following the disaster, there persons works out to about Rs There is no other source of was an international outcry for 12,410 per victim on average. these chlorinated benzene relief for the victims and In contrast, in the Uphaar compounds and pesticides than punishment to those tragedy in Delhi, families of UCIL," Bhushan said. responsible for the gas those who died got between Rs CSE Director Sunita Narain leakage. The pesticide plant 15 lakh to Rs 18 lakh each, said, "The factory site in Bhopal from where the gas leaked while injured persons got Rs 1 is leading to chronic toxicity –- belonged to Union Carbide lakh each. In addition, they got continuous tiny exposure India, a subsidiary of the US- interest at the rate of 9% per leading to poisoning of our based Union Carbide annum for the roughly six years bodies. This is different from Company. They were asked to that the legal proceedings took. acute poisoning and so the pay compensation and arrange Stung by this injustice, the claim that the factory is not for medical treatment. The victims approached the apex dangerous because people can matter immediately got court, which told them to touch the waste is misleading." embroiled in legal approach the state Deccan Herald/ Bangalore/ controversies. Thus began a government. In Bhopal, the 03/12/09 long and painful struggle of the Welfare Commissioner rejected victims for compensation, their demand. They appealed ENDLESS medical attention and to the MP high court. On rehabilitation that has November 30 this year, the HC NIGHTMARE spluttered along for a quarter too dismissed the petition. “We century. will go back to the Supreme A quarter of a century has In February 1989, the Court,” says Jayaprakash. passed since death was Supreme Court announced that Even after 25 years, gas unleashed by a faulty valve at it was approving a settlement victims are suffering serious the Union Carbide plant on a for Bhopal victims under which health problems. On an sleeping Bhopal, but traces of Union Carbide agreed to pay average, 6,000 gas-affected the killer toxins can still be Rs 713 crore for compensation patients visit hospitals in found in survivors and their to victims, while the Bhopal every day, that is, about children government agreed to drop all 2 million visits per year. The criminal cases against it. government adopted a one- Subodh Varma However, due to intense public size-fits-all policy for Twenty-five years have passed shock and anger at letting off categorisation of injuries — a since that night of terror and the culprits, the court agreed to person with compromised lungs death in Bhopal, which saw a reopen the criminal cases in may ultimately develop other cloud of deadly gases explode 1991. Two installments of diseases, besides being unable out of a faulty tank in a compensation — of up to Rs to work fully. But such pesticide factory and silently 25,000 each — have been distinctions were not spread into the homes of given till now to the injured, one maintained and meagre sleeping people. Although no in 1994 and the next in 2004. compensation was doled out. official count of casualties has N D Jayaprakash of the Sadhana Pradhan, who has ever been done, estimates Bhopal Gas Peedit Sangharsh worked among the gas victims based on hospital and Sahyog Samiti (BGPSSS), one since the disaster in 1984 rehabilitation records show that of the groups fighting for the points out that no line of about 20,000 people died and rights of gas victims, calls this a treatment was ever evolved. about 5.7 lakh suffered bodily massive fraud because the “The government has treated damage, making it by far the number of gas-affected the victims on an ad hoc basis,” world’s worst industrial disaster persons was arbitrarily fixed by she says. Medical records are ever. the government at 105,000, yet not centralized as Many who breathed the including about 3,000 dead. In recommended by the highly toxic cocktail that night reality, nearly 20,000 people monitoring committee set up by suffered a horrible death with have died, and 5.7 lakh have the Supreme Court in 2004. As multiple organ failure. Those suffered injuries. The a result, doctors have no idea who survived have suffered compensation amount — Rs about the pati ents’ history. multiple diseases for 25 years. 713 crore, paid by Union “This has led to development of A report of the Gas Tragedy Carbide — was meant for multi-drug resistant (MDR) TB Relief Department of the state about 1 lakh persons but has in many cases,” says Dr says that the morbidity rate been distributed among nearly Saxena, who spent 11 years in (occurrence of ailments) is 6 lakh people. Of the Rs 713 the government’s TB hospital in nearly 20% among gas - crores, Rs 113 crores was for Bhopal. affected persons compared to loss of livestock and property.

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Another dimension of the estimates put casualties at has headache, she will be ongoing tragedy of Bhopal is 3,000 dead and over 1 lakh given Saridon, the same for the poisonous chemical waste hurt. Symptoms ranged from breathlessness and all other lying around in the abandoned suffocation, blindness and symptoms caused by MIC.” premises of the pesticide plant. vomiting to spontaneous Following the disaster, Several committees have abortions, lung, kidney, liver ICMR temporarily set up the inspected it and found 44,000 and brain damage. Over the Bhopal Gas Disaster Research kgs of tarry residues and years, more have succumbed Centre under Gandhi Medical 25,000 kgs of alpha naphthol — current estimates are 20,000 College to monitor the health lying in the open since 1984. dead and over 5 lakh injured. effects of MIC exposure. The Various studies have Cattle and birds died in Centre stopped monitoring established that the soil, surrounding areas. Dead fish mortalities in 1992. In 1994, the ground water, vegetables and floated in lakes. Even trees Centre was shut down, without even breast milk have traces of perished publishing the findings of the toxic chemicals. Times of India/ Delhi/ studies conducted between Abdul Jabbar Khan of the 03/12/09 1984-94. No research has been Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila conducted since. Udyog Sangathan (BGPMUS) 25 years on, still “All medical data has says that actually there is much indicated serious genetic more poisonous waste, which waiting for Bhopal gas mutation but no autopsy the company used to routinely research studies have been conducted. bury in the premises since No government body can 1969. “There is no piped water Victims of the Bhopal gas explain why the prevalence of supply. People still use disaster shout slogans during a cancer among female victims is contaminated groundwater torch light procession on the three time the national average. daily,” he says. eve of 25th anniversary of the No one can conclusively say THE EVENT disaster. what are the outcomes of MIC WHEN Night of 2-3 Dec This January, 25 years after exposure,” said Dr Alok 1984 the Bhopal gas tragedy, the Banerjee, director, Centre for What Happened | At 11.30pm, Indian Council of Medical Rehabilitation Studies. workers at the Union Carbide Research (ICMR) invited Union Carbide Corporation fertilizer plant in Bhopal research to study the effects of (UCC), now Dow Chemicals, is reported burning in the eyes methyl isocyanate (MIC) yet to reveal the composition of and suffocation due to gas poisoning. After 11 months, MIC; it calls it a ‘trade secret’. leaking from a pressurized tank ICMR has received only two After initially recommending containing deadly methyl proposals. A disappointed sodium thiosulphate as a isocyanate (MIC). At 12.30am, Council has now decided to detoxifying agent, Union the alarm siren was sounded keep the ‘call for research Carbide’s Dr Bipin Awasia said and water spraying started. At proposals’ open till it gets some he had been ‘mistaken’ in 3am, the safety valve collapsed noteworthy submissions. 1984. and the tank exploded, The biggest failure, “Sodium thiosulphate was releasing a cloud of 40,000kg according to medical experts, is an effective treatment but it of lethal gases. A gentle breeze that the line of treatment given was given only to 500 odd blew this cloud of death over to patients exposed to MIC has patients. Carbide officials were sleeping people in 36 wards of remained essentially worried about le gal Bhopal unchanged since the morning repercussion as the success of WHY | MIC needs to be of the disaster, when nothing the treatment would prove that kept at below 5°C, under was known about the the gases had broken the pressure. But the refrigeration poisonous gas. blood-lung barrier and increase system had been shut down “Two generations of victims the compensation amount,” since June 1984. The tank and exposed to MIC have been says Dr Satpathy. valves were defective. indiscriminately prescribed The research proposals Temperatures up to 350°C are antibiotics, steroids and from ICMR — focusing on estimated to have been psychotropic drugs to ‘manage’ genetic disorders, low birth reached in the tank as the their ailments instead of finding weight, congenital highly reactive gas a cure. No focused research malformations, decomposed and created a has been conducted in growth/developmental cocktail of poisonous gases. developing an antidote to disorders and biological The final explosion was just cyanide poisoning,” said Dr DK markers of MIC exposure — waiting to happen Satpathy, who retired as came after directives from the THE RESULT | Death and director of Medicolegal Central government. injury came without warning to Institute, Government of MP, “This could have been an a sleeping population. Initial this September. “If a patient opportunity to develop an

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster antidote to cyanide poisoning were found to be contaminated Whether this "immune hyper - but not enough research has with chlorinated benzene and responsiveness" has any been conducted. We cannot organochlorine pesticides. clinical implications will be clear force researchers to take up Carbamates were found in four only after follow -up of the subjects against their interest. samples. The concentration of exposed individuals, the Genetic abnormalities cannot pesticides was 1.1 to 38.6 BMHRC researcher said. be ruled out but we do not have times higher than the Indian The release of 30-40 tonnes of a study that clearly establishes standard,” he said. “Also, the MIC spreading over the extent of genetic mutation. profile of chemicals found approximately 75 sq km killed More requires to be done in the within the factory and in its at least 3,500 and injured field of medical data to waste disposal site matched thousands more. There are understand cyanide poisoning the chemicals found in the more than 500,000 registered better,” said Dr V M Katoch, groundwater sample in the survivors of the tragedy, Mishra Director General, ICMR. colonies outside. There is no said. Indian Express/ Delhi/ other source of these The survivors continue to 03/12/09 chlorinated benzene experience higher incidence of compounds and pesticides,” health problems, including Bhopal gas survivors Narain said. The entire site is respiratory, neurological, highly contaminated, she psychiatric and ophthalmic still poisoned’ added. symptoms, Mishra said. The problem is that To understand the long-term The waste left behind at the chemicals present in the soil of implications of MIC exposure, Union Carbide India the factory are leaching into the doctors at BMHRC have Limited(UCIL) factory that was groundwater and leading to conducted chromosomal closed 25 years ago after a slow poisoning of residents. studies in cultured mammalian fatal gas leak continues to “The entire site of the factory cells using MIC as an poison people around the plant, needs to be carefully checked experimental agent. "The says the Centre for Science and cleaned up,” Narain said. results of the study have and Environment (CSE). Deccan Herald/ Bangalore/ provided evidence to hitherto “Latest tests show that 03/12/09 unknown molecular groundwater in areas even mechanisms of immunotoxic three km from the factory Toxic gas effects may consequences of MIC exposure contains almost 40 times more at a genomic level," he said. pesticides than Indian be seen in future According to Mishra, MIC had standards,” CSE Director generations played havoc with the Sunita Narain said here on reproductive health of women Tuesday, a day before the 25th The deadly methyl isocyanate and their girl children. anniversary of the gas leak that (MIC) gas released by the Menstrual abnormalities, killed 3,500 people at once and Union Carbide pesticide plant vaginal discharge and maimed thousands more. in Bhopal this day 25 years ago premature menopause have The pollution monitoring lab affected even the unborn, emerged as common problems. of the CSE has tested water researchers say. "Besides affecting the and soil samples from in and The toxic gas altered the reproductive health of the around the closed factory and immune system of those who women, these conditions are found high concentrations of were still in their mothers' also leading to social problems pesticides and heavy metals wombs when the disaster in conservative communities," inside the factory as well as in struck, according to a recent he said. the groundwater outside. study by researchers at the Mishra said that “One water and eight soil Bhopal Memorial Hospital and investigations conducted so far samples were collected from Research Centre (BMHRC) in at BMHRC and other places various places inside the Bhopal. have raised a new question: for factory in October this year and "Our study shows, for the how long the gas victims would 11 more water samples came first time, that in-utero MIC continue to suffer from multi - from locations outside — from exposure during the Bhopal system disorders and whether colonies next to the factory’s gas tragedy has caused a future generations would also boundary to those 3.5 km away persistent immune system be affected by these and toxins were found in the hyper-responsiveness in abnormalities. groundwater checked from affected individuals," "In-depth molecular studies almost 3 km from the factory,” Pradyumna Kumar Mishra said. of ocular, respiratory, CSE Associate Director The findings have been reproductive, immunological, Chandra Bhushan said. published in the journal genetic and psychological “All 11 groundwater Occupational and health must be continued if we samples collected from Environmental Medicine. wish to understand the extent colonies around the factory 85

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster and severity of long-term while holding the torches Jamuna Devi prays for effects associated with the (mashals) in their hands here disaster," Mishra said. on Wednesday. The agitators gas victims He pointed out that the demanded justice and the right importance of such to lead respected lives. Leader of Opposition in the experimental studies cannot be The agitators lashed at the State Assembly Jamuna Devi understated "since any Central Government for its has expressed grief and prayed alterations at genomic level can apparent failure to execute the for the 2,000 people, who died have long-term health fresh non-bailable arrest in the world largest industrial consequences that may range warrant issued against former disaster in Bhopal. from accelerated ageing, Union Carbide chairman She said that even after 25 carcinogenesis, immuno- Warren Anderson in July. years of the disaster, the UCIL has not been punished and compromised states and, more The angry agitators did not importantly, vertical spare the State Government people are still suffering from transmission of genetic and these victims of gas the poisonous gas in the capital. She also said that the aberrations." tragedy criticised the State RS mourns Bhopal gas Government that allegedly left trauma and medical facilities for tragedy victims Dow Chemicals Company to go the gas victims are also not sufficient and the victims are New Delhi: The Rajya Sabha scot free des pite its liabilities of Wednesday mourned the environment and health bound to buy medicines from victims of the Bhopal gas damage in the city. the market. He appealed Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and disaster of 1984, expressing The agitators were of the the members' 'heartfelt view that the recent survey of Rehabilitation Minister Babulal sympathies' for the 'human contamination by Centre for Gaur to provide better facilities tragedy of unparalleled Science and Environment to the victims. magnitude'. As soon as the would help put forward the Jamuna Devi expressed upper house assembled at 11 case strongly in the Federal grief on the sudden demise of a.m., House Chairman and Court of New York. Leaders of State Congress vice-president Vice President Hamid Ansari the three organisations: Sobaran Jatav and prayed for read out a statement, saying Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila his family. She said that the that the 'scars of the tragedy Stationery Karmchari Sangh, Congress has lost a simple and still haunt us'. 'It was a human Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila gentle leader. State BJP tragedy of unparalleled Purush Sangharsh Morcha and president and the Lok Sabha magnitude and shocked the Bhopal Group for Information MP Narendra Singh Tomar also world. It is incumbent on us to and Action, that organised the expressed grief on the sudden do the utmost for the victims,' march stated that the false death of Jatav. Pioneer/ Bhopal/ 03/12/09 Ansari said. 'Compensation claims of Union Minister Jairam claims should be settled on a Ramesh, Chief Minister Shivraj time-bound manner,' he added. Singh Chouhan and State 25 years after Bhopal 'I am sure the house will join Minister for Gas Tragedy Relief me in conveying our heartfelt and Rehabilitation Babulal Effects of toxic gas may last for sympathies to those who Gaur have been exposed after generations suffered from this gruesome the release of recent surveys of incident,' Ansari said. The ground water and soil The deadly methyl isocyanate tragedy occurred on the night contamination. gas released by the Union of Dec 2: -3, 1984 when The agitators also Carbide pesticide plant in tonnes of Methyl Iso Cyanate demanded immediate setting Bhopal this day 25 years ago (MIC) spewed out of the Union up of the Empowered affected even the unborn, Carbide Corp's pesticide plant Commission on Bhopal for researchers say. The toxic gas in Bhopal, killing more than long -term medical care and altered the immune system of 3,500 people i nstantly. economic and social those who were still in their Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ rehabilitation as well as supply mothers' wombs when the 03/12/09 of safe water to people drinking disaster struck, according to a contaminated ground water. recent study by researchers at Gas tragedy victims They alleged that 15 months the Bhopal Memorial Hospital have passed since the Prime and Research Centre lash out at Centre Minister gave a written promise (BMHRC) in Bhopal. regarding setting up the "Our study shows, for the Under the series of events Commission but the same is first time, that in-utero MIC going on at present to mark the yet to be formed. exposure during the Bhopal 25th Anniversary of the Bhopal Pioneer/ Delhi/ 03/12/09 gas tragedy has caused a Gas Tragedy, more than a persistent immune system thousand victims marched hyper-responsiveness in towards the pesticide plant 86

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster affected individuals," additional documents According to Sharma, the Pradyumna Kumar Mishra said. concerning its involvement in Union Carbide has argued that The findings have been the Bhopal plant. the American law and published in the journal "Union Carbide transferred American courts are powerless Occupational and polluting technology to the to provide remedy for this Environmental Medicine. Bhopal plant," Sharma said, problem because it was caused Whether this "immune adding that the documents in India and affects Indians hyper-responsiveness" has any show the Bhopal plant's while, at the same time, clinical implications will be clear technology was based on a refusing to submit to Indian law only after follow -up of the UCC-USA facility at Institute, and courts contradicting its own exposed individuals, the West Virginia that discharged earlier claim that cases BMHRC researcher said. wastes into a running body of involving Bhopal should be The release of 30 -40 tonnes water. "In Bhopal, the heard in India. "Union Carbide of gas spreading over technology was not located is suggesting that neither the approximately 75 sq km killed next to any running waterbody Indian law nor American law at least 3,500 and injured and all of these wastes were applies on them, therefore, they thousands more. There are stored on the campus of the are effectively above the law." more than 5,00,000 registered plant and in the solar Pioneer/ Bhopal/ 03/12/09 survivors of the tragedy, Mishra evaporation ponds," Sharma said. pointed out. Since they could Bhopal water highly The survivors continue to not be dispersed in this manner experience higher incidence of in Bhopal, the wastes were toxic health problems, including stored in 11 burial pits on the respiratory, neurological, plant campus, where an NEW DELHI:Groundwater in psychiatric and ophthalmic additional 346 metric tons of areas around the Bhopal gas symptoms, Mishra said. — above-ground toxic wastes are tr agedy site contain almost 40 IANS still lying around the premises. times more pesticides than Tribune/ Delhi/ 03/12/09 Sharma said that Union allowed under the Indian Carbide also approved the standards, the Centre for Centre, MP failed to creation of a massive toxic Science and Environment has landfill containing thousands of claimed. support case of gas metric tons of toxic waste The Pollution Monitoring victims’ stored in those solar Lab of the NGO tested water evaporation ponds located 400 and soil samples from in and Charging the Centre and State meters north of the Bhopal around the Union Carbide Government with not doing plant where they could reach factory, and found high enough for the Bhopal gas the water table beneath the concentrations of pesticides victims in getting justice, US- ground. Nearly 30,000 people and heavy metals. based attorney Himanshu living in residential communities All 11 groundwater samples Rajan Sharma, representing near the plant continue to be collected from colonies around the victims in New York against exposed to toxic chemicals in the UCIL factory were found to the Union Carbide, said that the their drinking water. be contaminated with case could have been much in "Irresponsible statements by chlorinated benzene favour of the victims, had the Indian politicians, at the State compounds and organochlorine Centre and State Government and Central levels, as well as pesticides, the test results supported the cause. misguided efforts to promote showed. He told mediapersons on 'disaster tourism' at Bhopal only "The reason this is Wednesday that Warren assist Union Carbide in extremely worrying is because Anderson is one of the prime persuading the American we have found the toxins in the accused in the case, but the courts that no pollution problem groundwater we have checked American court has not exists and help it to escape from almost 3 km below the summoned him so far. The liability." As the owner of the factory," said Chandra Union Carbide India Limited land on which the Bhopal plant Bhushan, associate director, in- (UICL) officials had been is located, Sharma noted, the charge of the CSE laboratory. appearing in the hearings, but Government of India has a New Indian Express/ now they have claimed that the responsibility to hold the Chennai/ 03/12/09 case does not come under the polluter liable and follow up on jurisdiction of the American law. its own request in 2004 to the He said that the court of American courts to order Union appeal in the United States had Carbide to clean up. In 2004, reinstated their claims in 2008 the US court invited the Indian and that Union Carbide has Government to intervene in the been directed to produce current litigation.

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Gas disaster - no lethal gases leaked from the thin surgical masks to protect Union Carbide pesticide plant them from gases in the end to sufferings, in 1984 is now dying from corpses. "I just did my duty," he governments exposure to the same said. indifferent pesticides. Dr S Sriramachari of a JSM vows to oust Government Pathology We are observing the silver Laboratory, discovered the MNCs, provide justice jubilee of world's worst scale of the tragedy when he to victims industrial disaster so far, carried out post mortem Bhopal gas tragedy, today. The examinations on the victims Raising voice against environment would have been and concluded that they had multinational companies enthusiastic for celebrating any been killed by hydrogen (MNCs), Jan Sangharsh other silver jubilee but the case cyanide poisoning. Morcha (JSM), an is different. We do remember He is now being treated for amalgamation of several with shiver death of thousands a fatal lung condition his voluntary organisations to mark on that fateful day, the travails doctors say was caused by his the 25th year of Bhopal gas we had to undergo during these regular exposure to a cocktail tragedy, today vowed to launch last 25 years, the pittance of of 21 lethal chemical agitation to provide justice to compensation received and the compounds in the victims he the victims. problems faced to get even this examined 25 years ago. Briefing media after a in installments. Lakh of people His own conclusion that the seminar on 'Bhopal Gas are still suffering from after victims were killed by hydrogen Tragedy' at Shahjani Park here, effects of gas disaster and the cyanide was contested, JSM activist Sunil Kumar authorities are least bothered. because, according to alleged that the government Responsible persons for the colleagues, such an admission had given a 'free hand' to the disaster will never be punished, would have led to more multi - MNCs to set up industries in people will keep suffering, million dollar lawsuits. Inida, which woul d lead to governments have better things Dr Sriramachari said that another gas tragedy. He said to do, and the ritual of the victims had shown key the Bhopal disaster was not an observing anniversary of the signs of cyanide poisoning - isolated incident as several disaster will go on... pink blood, cherry coloured chemical companies working in A 'Sarva Dharma Sabha (all organs - while his daughter, Dr the country were lacking safety religion meeting)' has been S Sandhyamani, said the measures. organised to pay tributes to the evidence had been ''Several MNCs are working victims of 1984 Bhopal Gas suppressed. in India which are potentially tragedy on the occasion of its Today his breathing is weak, accident-prone and the 25th anniversary on Thursday. his voice is barely audible, and government is not ready to take The meeting has been he continues to read the case lesson for Bhopal tragedy,'' organised at Central Library in notes of those victims whose Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Barkatullah Bhavan at 1030 symptoms now ail him. Udyog Sangathan (BGPMUS) hrs. Chief Minister Shivraj Campaigners say Convenor Abdul Jabbar said. Singh Chouhan will take part in Sriramachari is one of He held some Union ministers the 'Sarva Dharma Sabha'. thousands of people still including Environment Minister Various religious texts would be suffering the effects of Jairam Ramesh responsible for read out during the meeting. environmental poisoning by the airing irresponsible statements The government has expected chemical leak. An estimated on Bhopal tragedy and alleged officials to take part in the 25 ,000 have died since the that the Dow Chemicals played meeting. accident from gas poisoning a role in this regard. The General Administration and water contamination. Sunita Narain, Director of Department has issued A report by the Centre for the New Delhi-based Centre for directions to the Commissioner Science and Environment Science and Environment (Bhopal division), the district released earlier this week to (CSE) said if proper step could Collector, department heads, mark the 25th anniversary of not be taken to stop recurrence principal secretaries and the tragedy found groundwater of Bhopal tragedy, it would be secretaries in this regard. two miles from the plant happening in our daily life. contains 40 times more Talking about the Copenhagen Doctor dying from pesticides than Indian safety Summit on climate change, she exposure to MIC laws permit. said a new strategy should be Dr Sriramachari said he has evolved for the developing The doctor who conducted no regrets for his work on the countries like India. autopsies of Bhopal gas Bhopal victims - in which he Ms Narain, who did a research disaster victims killed when and his colleagues had only on water and soil on Bhopal 88

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster gas tragedy and found beeline here from various parts nobody supports me,'' he pres ence of toxic chemicals in of the globe even as the laments. water and soil, said she did not organisations working among Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila make any compromise and victims became hyperactive. Udyog Sangathan Convenor there was no lapse in the Seminars are the order of the Abdul Jabbar points out that ex report. day. gratia and compensation were Scientist and Academician Turning the pages of the doled out within a year of the Anil Sadgopal said wrong past yet again unveils the September 11 attacks in the information was given about horrors of that nightmare when United States. No action was Bhopal tragedy and also held the poisonous gas leaked out taken on the arrest warrant on the judiciary for giving of the now -closed Union Carbide's then chairman 'incorrect' verdict on the Carbide factory and descended Warren Anderson. tragedy. shroud-like on hapless Azadi Bachao Andolan thousands. CPI to burn Anderson President Banwari Lal Sharma Rashid, a scrap-dealer, was compared the Bhopal tragedy a young man of 20 at that time in effigy with Jallianwalabagh incident and lived with his family in and said MNCs were the Chhola area adjoining the unit. The Communist Party of India symbol of new colonialisation. ''At around midnight that night, I (CPI) will burn former Union He urged the people to boycott awakened amid chaos and it Carbide Chairman Warren all MNCs products. immediately seemed as if Anderson in effigy at Berasia Earlier, during the convention, somebody was burning red chili road here tomorrow on the which was attended by social nearby. Abba and Ammi were occasion of 25th anniversary of activists from all over the having a coughing bout. My the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy country, the speakers mother looked at me and only to oppose imperialistic and anti - announced to launch a long- managed to say, 'Bhaag ja public economic policies. term agitational programme yahan se' (Run away from In a release issued here, the against the 'wrong here),'' he recalls. party said homage would be development policy' of the Rashid ran like he must paid to the victims of the government that was have never run before and disaster. An appeal has been formulated after the Bhopal gas returned after two whole days made to keep business close tragedy and also vowed to oust only to find that his parents and on the occasion. the MNCs from the country. brother were no more. Of his The party appealed for two younger sisters, one died people to take part in large Amidst spotlight pain two years after the tragedy. numbers to warn imperialistic Rashid's lungs are severely multinational companies and to lingers affected and he valiantly unite with communist political attempted to start life anew but consciousness against ''This seems some kind of his treatment is yet to end. capitalism. celebration rather than the For Rashid and hundreds anniversary of the 1984 Bhopal like him still to be found in Jamuna Devi pays gas tragedy,'' says Rashid (45) settlements around the plant while sporting a sarcastic yet homage to gas victims interviews by print and painful smile as he views television media have no Leader of Opposition in hordes of Indian and foreign meaning. The only subject that Madhya Pradesh Assembly Ms media persons besides lights up their eyes is whether Jamuna Devi is angry over the representatives of voluntary more compensation will come organisations. their way. gas victims not getting justice even after 25 years. She said Rashid a victim of the Jaiprakash Nagar-resident that so far the Union Carbide deleterious effects of inhaling Bhaiyyalal (52) ails from methyl isocyanate on the asthma. He has scant interest directors responsible for this worst industrial disaster was intervening night of December in why the sufferers are being not punished even though 2-3, 1984 when the world's denied justice and why the worst industrial disas ter criminal case relating to the thousands of people are still suffering from its after effects. catapulted this city into undying tragedy - that claimed She paid rich tributes to the gas infamy - is just one among thousands of lives and affected numerous sufferers who are lakhs - is still being argued only victims who died in the disaster. sick and tired of the annual in the Chief Judicial Ms Jamuna Devi expressed remembrances. Magistrate's court. displeasure over the fact that The scenario is radically ''The compensation must be different this year round on the gas victims are not getting higher as my body is nothing proper treatment at the account of it being the more than a corpse and tragedy's 25th anniversary. A hospitals exclusively set up for multitude of foreigners made a them. 'The gas- affected 89

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster patients are asked to buy Prayer meeting at Seva Sadan Ms Sadhna Karnik said that a medicines from the market Madhya Pradesh Isai meeting would be organised in while the medicines purchased Mahasangh organised a prayer front of Union Carbide gate at at the hospitals are throwing meeting at Seva Sadan to pay 12 noon. CITU national out after expiry date', she said. homage to the deceased secretary Dr MK Pandhe would The Congress leader appealed persons in the Bhopal Gas address the meeting. the Gas Relief Minister Babulal Tragedy. At the meeting Fr Gaur to arrange better Anand Mutungal said that Seminar held treatment and rehabilitation thousands of people of the city facilities to the victims. died in the gas tragedy but their memory is still fresh in our The two-day seminar organised Gas peedit morcha to mind. Let god give peace to all by Gas Peedit Sangharsh departed souls. Menis Mathews Sahyuog Samiti has concluded observe 'black day' said that Bhopal Gas Tragedy here on Wednesday. The is the worst in the history of the seminar discussed ways and The Gas Peedit Nirashrit world and pay to god that such means to stop environmental Pension Bhogi Sangharsh tragedy should not happen in effects, industrial pollution and Morcha has decided to observe future. Richard De Silva said danger. Senior scientists, trade 25th anniversary of Bhopal Gas that we pray that such industrial union representatives and Tragedy as 'Black Day'. The disaster should not happen social workers attended. CITU Morcha will take out a homage again in future. Paying homage national secretary Ardhendu rally from Neelam Park and Mrs Sheila Santiago said that Dakshi, environmentalist D going through different the injury the city received 25 Raghunandan, scientists T localities will reach Union years ago is still fresh. John Jayaraman, trade union leader Carbide. Morcha president Roy Thatta said that such Badal Saroj and Balkrishna Namdev said that disaster should not happen in representatives from industries an effigy of Warren Anderson the world again. John Paul, expressed their views. They would be burnt in front of main John Antony, Ms Rajni Rawate, came to the conclusion that gate of Union Carbide. Rano Mary, Stephen Khalko, even after 25 years of Bhopal Namdev said that even after Tony Antony, Eroll Williams gas tragedy the governments 25 years of the gas tragedy and several other members of and security agencies did not lakh of citizens are suffering the Mahasangh attended the learn any lesson. The seminar from dreaded diseases like meeting. was held at NITTTR cancer, TB, skin diseases, auditorium. breathing trouble, stomach Cycle rally today ailments, eye troubles, mental CITU national seminar diseases, no hungry, shortage of mental and physical growth Zee High Bhopal will be organising a cycle rally to pay Centre of Indian Trade Union among children etc. On top of (CITU), Bhopal Gas Peedit the above more than 50 tribute to Bhopal gas tragedy victims on December 3 from Sangharsh Sahyog Samiti and thousand citizens living around AIPSN jointly organised a two- the Union Carbide factory are Smt Ramadevi Smriti Sansthan, Chna Bhatti to Boat day seminar at Sanskriti forced to drink water mixed with Bhavan which was concluded deadly chemicals. Club, Upper Lake. The rally will start at 8.30 AM. today. The subject was Bhopal He said that during the last Gas Tragedy and Our 25 years the Central and State Communists express Responsibility. Gas Peedit Governments spent over Rs solidarity Organisation's Sadhna Karnik, 400 crore for economic, At the International Communist Dr Amit Sengupta (AIPSN), and environmental, social, medical Conference held at Delhi AT Padmanabhan of CITU treatment of gas victims. But recently expressed solidarity on presided. Addressing the this was not sufficient. The gas Bhopal Gas victims on the seminar CITU national affected destitute widows are occasion of 25th anniversary of secretary and former MP still struggling for their daily gas tragedy. Bhopal Gas Deepankar Mukherjee said that bread. They are not getting any Peedit Sangharsh Samiti the persons responsible for pension from the gas relief Organiser Sadhana Karnik had increasing industrial disasters department. Earlier they had requested CPM General are not punished these days. BPL ration cards but the Secretary Prakash Karant and This show that the Central and government cancelled them polit bureau member Sitaram State Governments are not with from August 2007. Ya churi to pass such a resolution at the conference. the people. Namdev said that the state BU teachers, students visit government could not provide Meeting at Union Carbide gate carbide site permanent employment even to Teachers, students, research 100 gas victims. scholars of Department of 90

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Zoology & Applied Aquaculture, waste from the plant site even Sangh (BGPMSKS) and and Department of after 25 years continues. A Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Environment, Barkatullah number of events including Purush Sangarsh Morcha University visited Union photo exhibition related to the (BGPMPSM) from November Carbide plant site. At the site Bhopal gas tragedy, agitations, 28 to disprove the Madhya HOD, Department of Zoology, sit-in, poetry night, press Pradesh government's claim Applied Aquaculture and briefings and felicitations that there was no toxic and Environment explained the programmes are being hazardous waste there," BGIA technical and scientific aspects organised since last couple of Convener, Satinath Sarangi of the incidence. Professor days. Apart from these, an all- said. Arun Raghuvanshi of party religious prayer meeting He alleged that Union department of bioscience, BU, in which Madhya Pradesh cief environment and forests explained the social, political mnister is also expected to take minister Jairam Ramesh and and environmental aspects of part, that claimed 15,274 lives Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and the disaster and incidence to and affected 5,74,000 persons Rehabilitation minister Babulal the students. Dr Vipin Vas of after leakage of MIC gas from Gaur were favouring Dow Limnology Department inspired Union Carbide India Limited Chemicals which has taken students to take care of social (UCIL) plant here on the over Union Carbide by saying responsibility aspects of intervening night of December that waste lying in the factory environment. Dr Shriparna 2-3, 1984. premises was not harmful. Saxena of Limnology Various NGOs including The three NGOs would department informed students Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila intensify protests against Dow about technical aspects of the Udyog Sangathan (BGPMUS) Chemicals from tomorrow to tragedy. and Bhopal Group for press for the removal of waste Central Chronicle/ Bhopal/ Information and Action (BGIA) from the factory and seek 03/12/09 came under an umbrella and financial and medical help to alleged that huge toxic waste the gas tragedy victims who are 25 years on, Bhopal was still lying in the Union still suffering, Sarangi said. Carbide factory premises, Meanwhile, BGPMUS gas victims still spread over an area of 67 convenor, Abdul Jabbar alleged suffering acres. that the Bhopal gas tragedy They also alleged that victims have not been paid Bhopal: The world's worst despite issuing several arrest adequate compensation till now industrial disaster the Bhopal warrants against the former and asked the Centre to gas tragedy which claimed Union Carbide chairman release fund immediately for scores of lives will complete 25 Warren Anderson by local this purpose. years tomorrow even as the courts for gas tragedy charging He said that according to an woes of gas victims still him with culpable homicide not agreement of February 15, continue. amounting to murder, the CBI 1989 facilitated by the supreme The incident took place has not extradited him for trial court, Union Carbide when the lethal Methyl Iso in India. Corporation, US provided a Cyanate (MIC) Gas leaked The NGO leaders said that compensation of $470 million from the Union Carbide factory Anderson may be proclaimed (Rs715 crore) meant for that was producing pesticides offender in India but he is 1,02,000 affected people and here. leading a luxurious life in a 3,000 persons who lost their The case is still being fought palatial home in Bridgehampton lives in the toxic gas emission. at the chief judicial magistrate in Long Islands near New York. However, later the number level and after that it may be Anderson, who never faced of victims was increased more challenged again in the any court for Bhopal gas than five times -- affected Madhya Pradesh high court. tragedy, had been released on people 5,74,000 and deceased Meanwhile, various NGOs, bail on December 7, 1984 soon persons 15,274 -- and Rs715 fighting for the cause of the after his arrival in the city after crore was distributed to a total Bhopal gas tragedy victims, the incident but since then he of 5,79,274 persons instead of here today charged the Centre never ventured on Indian soil, 1,05,000 victims as and the Madhya Pradesh they said. compensation, Jabbar said. government with being "It is surprising that no one Jabbar said a meagre flat responsible for not extraditing was punished for the Bhopal amount of Rs25,000 each as former Union Carbide gas tragedy even after 25 years compensation was given to the chairman, Warren Anderson. of the world's worst industrial affected people while for death They also charged that disaster," the NGOs said. "We Rs1 lakh was provided inadequate compensation to have lauched a campaign between 1992 to 2004. the gas affected persons were along with Bhopal Gas Peedit paid and non-disposal of toxic Mahila Stationary Karmchari

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster The NGOs also opposed Meanwhile, various NGOs, Noting that the families which government's proposed plan to fighting for the cause of the suffered and lost their dear build a Rs116 crore memorial Bhopal Gas Tragedy victims, ones can never really be fully for the gas victims and urged here today charged the Centre compensated, he said, the Centre and the Madhya and the Madhya Pradesh however, the government has Pradesh government instead of government with being implemented several measures wasting funds in constructing it, responsible for not extraditing to provide relief to them, this money should be used in former Union Carbide including improvement in their other welfare activities for gas Chairman, Warren Anderson. living conditions and socio- victims including health, They also charged that economic and medical rehabilitation and education. inadequate compensation to rehabilitation. DNA/ Mumbai/ 03/12/09 the gas affected persons were “Those affected by the paid and non-disposal of toxic catastrophe deserve our Bhopal gas tragedy waste from the plant site even continuing support and after 25 years continues. sympathy,” Mr. Singh said. victims’ woes A number of events continue including photo exhibition “I reaffirm our Government’s related to the Bhopal Gas commitment to resolving issues French writer and activist Tragedy, agitations, sit-in, of safe drinking water, Dominique Lapierre, gestures poetry night, press briefings expeditious cleaning -up of the during a press conference and felicitations programmes site, continuation of medical about the Bhopal gas tragedy, are being organised since the research, and any other in Bhopal on Tuesday. The last couple of days. outstanding issues connected royalties from Lapierre’s book Hindu/ Delhi/ 03/12/09 with the Bhopal Gas Tragedy,” ‘It was Five Past Midnight in he said. Bhopal will go to the Bhopal gas tragedy: Hindu/ Delhi/ 03/12/09 Sambhavna clinic in Bhopal PM promises to which provides free medical Bhopal gas tragedy: treatment to the victims of the address all issues 1984 Union Carbide gas PM promises to disaster. Photo: AP. Paying condolences to the address all issues AP French writer and activist victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas Dominique Lapierre, gestures tragedy, Prime Minister New Delhi Paying condolences during a press conference Manmohan Singh on to the victims of the 1984 about the Bhopal gas tragedy, Wednesday affirmed the Bhopal gas leakage, Prime in Bhopal on Tuesday. The government’s commitment to Minister Manmohan Singh royalties from Lapierre’s book addressing all issues affirmed on Wednesday that his ‘It was Five Past Midnight in connected to the tragedy, government's commitment to Bhopal will go to the including safe drinking water addressing all issues Sambhavna clinic in Bhopal and expeditious clean-up of the connected to the tragedy, which provides free medical site. including safe drinking water treatment to the victims of the In a statement here on the and expeditious clean-up of the 1984 Union Carbide gas 25th anniversary of the leakage site. disaster. at the Union Carbide pesticide In a statement here on 25th The world’s worst industrial plant, Mr. Singh said the anniversary of the leakage at disaster the Bhopal gas tragedy government owes it to citizens Union Carbide pesticide plant, which claimed scores of lives to put in place “procedures and Singh said the government will complete 25 years precautions” to ensure that owes it to citizens to put in tomorrow even as the woes of such a tragedy never occurs place "procedures and gas victims still continue. again. precautions" to ensure that The incident took place “Twenty five years ago, the such a tragedy never occurs when the lethal Methyl Iso country woke up to a terrible again. Cyanate (MIC) Gas leaked tragedy in Bhopal... I share the "Twenty five years ago, the from the Union Carbide factory grief of those affected by this country woke up to a terrible that was producing pesticides horrible incident,” he said about tragedy in Bhopal... I share the here. the mishap in which 5,000 grief of those affected by this The case is still being fought people were killed an d many horrible incident," he said about at the Chief Judicial Magistrate others incapacitated the mishap in which 5000 level and after that it may be permanently. people were killed and many challenged again in the “The enormity of that others incapacitated Madhya Pradesh High Court. tragedy of neglect still gnaws at permanently. our collective conscience,” he said.

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster "The enormity of that tragedy of exothermic reaction released version of the truth is allowed to neglect still gnaws at our noxious fumes on a sleeping prevail in collective memory. collective conscience," he said. city. Thirty six of Bhopal’s 56 Gaur stated that the Noting that the families wards were badly affected. The government was only trying to which suffered and lost their immediate official death toll assuage the people’s feelings. dear ones can never really be was put at 2,500, and the What he didn’t say was that this fully compensated, he said, number of injured at 600,000. move by the political class was however, the government has Subsequently, the government being seen as another implemented several measures acknowledged that nearly endeavour to bury the to provide relief to them, 8,000 people had died in the memories of the State’s own including improvement in their first three days after the failings in relation to the living conditions and disaster. Another 15,000 disaster. But burying the truth socio•economic and medical people have died since, as a was proving to be a difficult rehabilitation. result of the fatal after -effects. task, even for an astute "Those affected by the The Central government has politician like Gaur. This is catastrophe deserve our admitted, ipso facto, that the because, in a way, that night in continuing support and total number of people affected Bhopal has never really ended. sympathy," Singh said. by India’s worst industrial Bhopal’s survivors made "I reaffirm our Government's disaster is over 574,367. 2,000,000 visits to medical commitment to resolving issues Recently, the Madhya centres for treatment in 2008 of safe drinking water, Pradesh government decided alone, a fact that indicates that expeditious clean-up of the site, to open the Union Carbide people continue to suffer from continuation of medical factory to the public for seven debilitating health conditions. In research, and any other days to commemorate 25 years February 1989, the Indian outstanding issues connected of the incident. The opening of government had entered into a with the Bhopal Gas Tragedy," the doors of the doomed site settlement in which the Union he s aid. was set to be a symbolic act by Carbide Corporation agreed to Express India/ Delhi/ which the government hoped to disburse a sum of Rs 600 crore 03/12/09 erase the people’s memories of among 105,000 people at an a terrible night, and to dispel average of Rs 57,143 per REMEMBERING A doubts that the factory was still victim at the prevailing value of a repository of toxic waste. the rup ee. Subsequently, the CITY COVERED IN A The act of remembering a government found that the CLOUD OF DEATH traumatic event can be a number of victims was over complicated process. Even in a 574,367. The paltry In Bhopal, Uddalak Mukherjee liberal democracy such as ours, compensation offered by the discovers that the State’s sinister attempts are made by American company could never attempt to influence the the State to influence how be enough to sustain the long- people’s memory of the gas people choose to remember term medical costs of the tragedy has failed, but only for events such as the Bhopal gas survivors. Moreover, litigations now tragedy. In the course of continue to be filed over the Twenty-five years ago, on shaping public memory, the non-receipt of compensation. the night of December 2-3, people are made to abandon Gaur pinned the state nearly 41 tonnes of methyl truths that should never be government’s lapses on an isocyanate were released into forgotten. I visited Bhopal in the inherent weakness in India’s the cold night air in Bhopal. The last week of November to see federal polity. The Centre, said highly toxic chemical had been how a Welfare State goes Gaur, seldom acts on “local” stored in an underground tank about its task of tweaking issues such as this one. This inside the premises of Union public memory. Some of the lack of political will to engage Carbide India Limited — a people I met in Bhopal are with the demands and rights of pesticide plant that was a members of the present Bhopal’s survivors is endemic subsidiary of the American government, and have been to India’s politicians. Gaur multinational organization, the architects of an intelligent admitted that none of the BJP’s Union Carbide Corporation. On and devious programme meant central leaders, including L.K. that night, the factory had been to represent Bhopal’s horror Advani, has shown much closed for some urgent repair selectively. I also met others — interest in this matter. The work. A few days after the ordinary men and women — Congress has proved to be as accident, it was learnt that who are resisting the State’s indifferent as its rival. In 2007, faulty maintenance had led to insidious attempts. This is their Kamal Nath, a Union minister in water seeping into the story. It is also the story of a the ruling alliance, is said to underground tank with its city, and perhaps, in the larger have written a letter to the deadly content. The resultant, context, of a democracy whose prime minister demanding that immensely powerful, future depends on which the cases against Dow

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Chemicals be dropped. The left behind in drums inside the recommended that the waste BJP is in power in Madhya premises. I showed him a copy be transported to the US for Pradesh, and Gaur, expectedly, of the DRDO report, and also treatment. But the state promised that he would reminded him how the Union pollution control board is yet to continue to fight for the victims. environment and forests act upon the recommendations Before I left, he told me two minister, Jairam Ramesh, on a of the sub-committee. more things. He has not visit to the factory, had held a It is not enough to forgotten that December night, clump of soil, and declared that remember what has and has and that he, too, is its victim. he was alive. Khan smiled not taken place in Bhopal over There are others who tiredly, and wondered whether two-and -a-half decades. There remember that fateful night, but Ramesh knew that the are important lessons that need for reasons that are different residents of Arif Nagar near the to be kept in mind from what from Gaur’s. Qamar Saeed factory still complain of a foul Bhopal experienced. The gas Khan worked as a production smell in the water. Or that disaster is an example of the supervisor in the MIC unit at livestock have reportedly died State colluding with a corporate the Union Carbide factory. That after falling into a well inside body to exploit its own people. night, 25 years ago, Khan the factory. Khan’s There are many examples of remembers hearing the sound assumptions are consistent this lethal union between the of sirens first. He had rushed with the findings of the Centre State and big business in out of his house and seen a for Science and Environment, liberalized India: the sale of the white cloud descending slowly which has detected Niyamgiri hill, rich in bauxite, to over Bhopal, even as people unacceptable levels of toxic the mining firm, Vedanta, the coughed, vomited, and died on residues in a three kilometre agreements that have allegedly the streets. After the accident, stretch around the factory. The been signed to extract the the factory was shut down and concentration of the residues, minerals from huge swathes in Khan lost his job. The according to the CSE, was 1.1 central Indian states, and so management denied him his to 38.6 times higher than the on. But Bhopal is unique as it employee benefits. Khan is permissible limits. had set a precedent in an also critical of the government Some people in Bhopal are urban setting long before the for failing to establish a also working hard to remind the opening of India’s markets. transparent mechanism to dole world what had transpired after Another message from out compensation. He said that the disaster. Abdul Jabbar Bhopal is that in our he knows of people who had Khan, the convener of the democracy, the State, at times, received compensation even Bhopal Gas Peedith Mahila acquires a totalitarian edge. though they lived outside Udyog Sangathan, is one such The State is invested with Bhopal. Khan’s daughter, who person. For Jabbar, the story supreme powers, and the was born after the disaster, that unfolded after the calamity absence of strong checks and was detected with a kidney is one of deliberate, institutional measures means that it may ailment. The former executive failure. For proof, he listed a succeed in repressing people, now runs a poultry farm to help few of the lapses at every level as well as pivotal institutions his family survive. of State care: health, law and such as the judiciary, that are Not surprisingly, Khan told the environment. For instance, supposed to safeguard public me things that Gaur could not despite the apex court’s interest. Finally, Bhopal also have, even if he had wanted to. instructions, the state reminds us that the resources For instance, this is what Khan government has not maintained the State uses in pursuit of a had to say about the the medical records of the particular agenda may not be allegations that the factory is victims, and the medical tangible entities, such as the contaminated — in the early centres that were established bureaucracy, media or police. It 1990s, in compliance with the to provide care to the survivors often utilizes intangible court’s orders, a lack the desired infrastructure. resources — public memory, decontamination operation was In January 2005, a legal notice for instance — to succeed in its started inside the factory. Khan, was issued against Dow dishonourable objectives. an expert in this field, was Chemicals to appear on behalf After meeting Jabbar, I involved in the process, and by of the Union Carbide visited the Union Carbide his estimate, nearly 120 tonnes Corporation in the criminal factory but I was denied entry (I of contaminated soil had been cases. However, the Madhya wondered why, considering that removed before the operation Pradesh High Court disposed the government claims it to be was stalled. The deeper of the case in five weeks, after completely safe). From the recesses of the soil in the ruling in favour of the accused. rusty gate outside, the factory factory are certainly In 2006, a technical sub- resembled a ghost town. Its contaminated, said Khan, and committee of the task force for yellow walls were covered with there is a possibility that tonnes the removal of toxic waste lying slogans protesting against 25 of hazardous waste have been inside the factory had years of injustice, the paint was

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster peeling off its iron gates, and a research centre in New Delhi at cyanide, showed rapid signs of tower, partially covered by the time of the Bhopal gas recovering. foliage, loomed in the distance. disaster on the night of But, Sriramachari recalls, I watched the factory standing December 2-3, 1984, entered the cyanide theory encountered among activists who were the city within a week after the a barrage of criticism from painting slogans on another leak. sections of medical community. wall to mark the occasion. He spent several days there Some doctors insisted it was Some local residents had performing autopsies, seeking only methyl isocyanate that gathered and they, in turn, clues in globules of froth was causing symptoms and not watched us. Their faces were around mouths, in cherry red cyanide. inscrutable, but I thought I saw coloured lungs and pink- “We lost time,” said Arun in them a sense of resignation. discoloured bodies. Any clues Jain, a senior scientist at the After my return, I read that that might help treat the Institute of Pathology. The the government of Madhya survivors. Institute team conducted a Pradesh had decided against Toxic residues of the gas study to show that toxic opening the factory. Babulal that scientists believe lingered residues were excreted in the Gaur had fished out another of in the city’s air for days after urine of patients to make the his improbable excuses. the leak entered his ow n lungs. sodium thiosulfate therapy Municipal elections were And bursts of trapped gas become acceptable. scheduled to take place soon, released from body tissues In subsequent years, their and the electoral code of during the autopsies worsened studies showed that the gases conduct, apparently, prohibited his own exposure. produced from the leak the government from making “When the Bhopal disaster interacted with a certain “major policy announcements”. occurred, no one had a clue enzyme in the body to cause Perhaps Gaur and the other about the toxic effects of methyl long-term effects in the lungs elected representatives had isocyanate on humans,” said that could last for years. realized, a little late in the day, Samavedam Sandhyamani, “The lungs of some of the that even if the y were to open Sriramachari’s daughter who is victims from Bhopal who had the factory doors, those who herself a trained pathologist. “It never smoked show changes had survived that long night are was an emergency, but without that are typically observed in unlikely to forgive or forget. toxicity information, doctors the lungs of long-term Telegraph/ Calcutta/ 03/12/09 weren’t sure what was the best smokers,” said Jain. The way to help the survivors,” studies also helped unravel the Bhopal tragedy Sandhyamani told The molecular mechanisms of the Telegraph. gas byproducts in the body. scientist stricken - The government estimates Sriramachari himself began Researcher who that 3,700 people die d of to experience symptoms of helped demystify exposure to toxic gases during lung disease about two years poison gas battles the early days after the leak. after returning from Bhopal. But thousands more have “We suspect it had to do with lung disease suffered the long-term adverse his exposure while he was effects over the years. there. He had never shown any G.S. MUDUR Sriramachari and his lung symptoms before that,” New Delhi, Dec. 2: From the colleagues helped demonstrate said Sandhyamani. bed of an intensive care unit, that the toxic cloud over Bhopal He’s been diagnosed with Samavedam Sriramachari wasn’t just methyl isocyanate. chronic obstructive pulmonary today recalled his two decades Their research established that disease and was admitted to of research that helped the gas, which is heavier than the intensive care unit of the demystify the poison gas which air, breaks down at high Vallabhbhai Patel Chest caused the worst chemical temperatures and leads to the Institute here a few days ago disaster in human history. production of two other lethal after he had bouts of The Indian pathologist, who compounds — hydrogen breathlessness. helped the world fathom how cyanide and carbon monoxide. Many scientists believe the methyl isocyanate gas that Bhopal’s residents were Sriramachari’s investigations leaked from the Union Carbide exposed to multiple toxic from 1984 through 2004 have factory in Bhopal 25 years ago th reats that night. spawned the most killed and harmed thousands of The first autopsies by local comprehensive body of toxicity people, is now himself fighting pathologist Heeresh Chandra research on methyl isocyanate, a lung disease probably linked had indicated acute cyanide a legacy for pathologists of the to the tragedy. poisoning — and severely ill future. Sriramachari, 84, who was survivors injected with sodium “The techniques he used to director of the Institute of thiosulfate, an antidote to solve the puzzle of methyl Pathology, a government isocyanate could also help in

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster future disasters involving toxic Various NGOs including Bhopal press for the removal of waste gases,” said Sandhyamani. Gas Peedit Mahila Udyog from the factory and seek “There are lessons for the Sangathan and Bhopal Group financial and medical help to future -- whether it’s to study for Information and Action the gas tragedy victims who are emissions from a burning came under an umbrella and still suffering, Mr Sarangi said. factory or an oil refinery.” alleged that huge toxic waste The BGPMUS convenor, Mr Telegraph/ Calcutta/ 03/12/09 was still lying in the Union Abdul Jabbar alleged that the Carbide factory premises, Bhopal gas tragedy victims Woes of Bhopal gas spread over an area of 67 have not been paid adequate acres. compensation till now and victims still continue They also alleged that asked the Centre to release despite issuing several arrest fund immediately for this BHOPAL: The world’s worst warrants against Mr Anderson purpose. industrial disaster the Bhopal by local courts for gas tragedy He said that according to an gas tragedy which claimed charging him with culpable agreement of February 15, scores of lives will complete 25 homicide not amounting to 1989 facilitated by the Supreme years on Thursday even as the murder, the CBI has not Court, Union Carbide woes of gas victims still extradited him for trial in India. Corporation, US provided a continue. The NGO leaders said that Mr compensation of US $470 The incident took place when Anderson may be proclaimed million (Rs 715 crore) meant for the lethal Methyl Iso Cyanate offender in India but he is 1,02,000 affected people and gas leaked from the Union leading a luxurious life in a 3,000 persons who lost their Carbide factory that was palatial home in Bridgehampton lives in the toxic gas emission. producing pesticides here. in Long Islands near New York. However, later the number of The case is still being fought Mr Anderson, who never faced victims was increased more at the chief judicial magistrate any court for Bhopal gas than five times — affected level and after that it may be tragedy, had been released on people 5,74,000 and deceased challenged again in the bail on December 7, 1984 soon persons 15,274 -- and Rs 715 Madhya Pradesh High Court. after his arrival in the city after crore was distributed to a total Various NGOs, fighting for the the incident but since then he of 5,79,274 persons instead of cause of the Bhopal gas never ventured on Indian soil, 1,05,000 victims as tragedy victims, here today th ey said. compensation, Mr Jabbar said. charged the Centre and the “It is surprising that no one Navhind Times/ Goa/ 03/12/09 Madhya Pradesh government was punished for the Bhopal with being responsible for not gas tragedy even after 25 years Bhopal disaster extraditing former Union of the world’s worst industrial Carbide chairman, Mr Warren disaster,” the NGOs said. doctor dying from Anderson. “We have launched a campaign exposure to same They also charged that along with Bhopal Gas Peedit pesticides inadequate compensation to Mahila Stationary Karmchari the gas affected persons were Sangh and Bhopal Gas Peedit The doctor who conducted paid and non-disposal of toxic Mahila Purush Sangarsh waste from the plant site even autopsies of Bhopal disaster Morcha from November 28 to victims killed when lethal gases after 25 years continues. A disprove the Madhya Pradesh number of events including leaked from the Union Carbide government’s claim that there chemical plant in 1984 is now photo exhibition related to the was no toxic and hazardous Bhopal gas tragedy, agitations, dying from exposure to the waste there,” the BGIA same pesticides. sit-in, poetry night, press convener, Mr Satinath Sarangi briefings and felicitations said. Dean Nelson in New Delhi programmes are being He alleged that the Union organised since last couple of S. Sriramachari, then director Environment and Forests of a government pathology days. Minister, Mr Jairam Ramesh Apart from these, an all- laboratory, discovered the and Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief scale of the tragedy when he party religious prayer meeting and Rehabilitation Minister, Mr in which Madhya Pradesh Chief carried out post mortem Babulal Gaur were favouring examinations on the first Minister is also expected to Dow Chemicals which has take part, that claimed 15,274 victims and concluded that they taken over Union Carbide by had been killed by hydrogen lives and affected 5,74,000 saying that waste lying in the persons after leakage of MIC cyanide poisoning. factory premises was not He is now being treated for gas from Union Carbide India harmful. Limited plant here on the a fatal lung condition his The three NGOs would doctors say was caused by his intervening night of December intensify protests against Dow 2-3, 1984. regular exposure to a cocktail Chemicals from Thursday to of 21 lethal chemical 96

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster compounds in the victims he thousands, a study said Britain, which showed examined 25 years ago. Tuesday. concentrations of some toxins His own conclusion that the The analysis conducted by were actually rising ‘as the victims were killed by hydrogen the UK-based Bhopal Medical chemicals leach through the cyanide was contested, Appeal (BMA) also cast doubt soil and into the aquifer’, it said. because, accor ding to upon government-sponsored The document criticised colleagues, such an admission research into th e impact of the tests conducted by an Indian would have led to more multi - disaster at the Union Carbide laboratory saying results million dollar law suits. pesticide plant, where methyl showed very low chemical Mr Sriramachari told Mint isocyanate gas spewed from a concentrations ‘despite the fact newspaper the victims had storage tank on December 3, that some of the samples shown key signs of cyanide 1984. clearly smelled of solvents’. poisoning – pink blood, cherry Activists say more than 350 It was ‘possible that the coloured organs – while his tonnes of toxic waste strewn laboratory did not wish to pass daughter, Dr S. Sandhyamani, around the site still pollute soil on the correct results thanks to said the evidence had been and groundwater in the ar ea, the ongoing political suppressed. leading to cancer, congenital controversy around the Bhopal Today his breathing is defects, immunity problems disaster,’ the reports' authors weak, his voice is barely and other illnesses. said. audible, and he continues to Internal documents showed Union Carbide — purchased read the case notes of those the company had been by Dow Chemical in 1999 — victims whose symptoms now dumping thousands of tonnes insists all liabilities toward the ail him. of waste around the plant for plant were cleared in a 1989 Campaigners say Mr years before the accident, and out of court settlement worth Sriramachari is one of while the state government 470 million dollars, the bulk of thousands of people still does not deny the material which was used to compensate suffering the effects of exists, it says it is harmless. victims. environmental poisoning by the ‘This report will nail their lie,’ A 2004 high court order for chemical leak. An estimated Satinath Sarangi of the Bhopal the state government to clean 25,000 have died since the Group for Information and up the waste has resulted in accident from gas poisoning Action told AFP. only a partial clearance of and water contamination. ‘There are still high toxins. A report by the Centre for concentrations of carcinogens ‘You can't wish them away. Science and Environment and birth defect -causing They need to be cleaned up,’ released earlier this week to chemicals and heavy metals in said Sarangi. mark the 25th anniversary of the water,’ he said. Dawn/ Pakistan/ 03/12/09 the tragedy found groundwater According to research two miles from the plant conducted by the state-run Bhopal survivors contains 40 times more Indian Council of Medical pesticides than Indian safety Research (ICMR) until 1994, demand action laws permit. between 8,000 and 10,000 Mr Sriramachari said he has people were killed within the Hundreds of residents of the no regrets for his work on the first three days of the tragedy, Indian city of Bhopal have held Bhopal victims – in which he and 25,000 people later died a vigil to mark 25 years since a and his colleagues had only from the effects of exposure. deadly chemical leak in the city thin surgical masks to protect Government statistics caused the world's worst them from gases in the compiled after 1994 concluded industrial disaster. corpses. "I just did my duty," he that at least 100,000 people Survivors and local said. living near the factory in residents joined activists late Telegraph/ United Kingdom/ Madhya Pradesh state were on Wednesday to remember 03/12/09 chronically sick, with more than the thousands of victims of the 30,000 residing in areas with leak from a pesticide plant Bhopal water still contaminated water. owned by US chemical The BMA report said the company Union Carbide on toxic, 25 years on: infrastructure for clean drinking December 3, 1984. study water set up by the city was According to research inadequate, meaning many conducted by the state-run NEW DELHI: Groundwater at residents used groundwater out Indian Council of Medical the site of the world's worst of desperation. Research, between 8,000 and industrial accident in India's The charity sent samples of 10,000 people were killed in the Bhopal city is still toxic and hand-pumped groundwater immediate aftermath of the making residents sick 25 years from 15 Bhopal communities to disaster. after a gas leak there killed laboratories in Switzerland and

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster About 25,000 others later died Studies released on the eve of chemical waste from the site from the effects of exposure the anniversary said more than and the drinking water in the while government estimates 350 tonnes of toxic waste area. say the fumes affected half a strewn around the site still They also called for an million. pollutes soil and groundwater in official panel to work on social, the area, leading to cancer, economic and medical Toxic legacy congenital defects, immunity rehabilitation for the gas problems and other illnesses. victims, saying that only part of Activists say tens of thousands The UK-based charity the $470m compensation of people in Bhopal - many not Bhopal Medical Appeal (BMA) Union Carbide paid in even born at the time of the said on Tuesday that there was settlement with the Indian disaster - still suffer chronic evidence that "high levels of government has reached illnesses related to the leak. toxic chemicals" remained in victims. the drinking water supply in 15 Union Carbide, which ran Bhopal disaster communities near the plant. the Bhopal plant when the leak Tests at Swiss and British occurred, is now a subsidiary of Shortly after midnight on laboratories indicated Dow Chemical, having been December 3, 1984, about 40 concentrations of some toxins bought in 2001. tonnes of the highly poisonous were actually rising "as the Dow says responsibility for methyl isocyanate gas leaked chemicals leach through the the factory now rests with the from a tank at the Union soil and into the aquifer", it Madhya Pradesh government. Carbide plant in Bhopal. said. Aljazeera/ Saudi Arab/ The state-run Indian The group said the 03/12/09 Council of Medical Research government was not providing says 8,000-10,000 people were enough clean drinking water, Manmohan extends killed within three days and forcing many residents to use 25,000 more subsequently died the contaminated groundwater. support to Bhopal from the effects of exposure. "Not surprisingly, the victims More than 500,000 people populations in the areas are estimated to have been surveyed have high rates of Aarti Dhar affected by the leak. birth defects, rapidly rising NEW DELHI: Prime Minister US chemical firm Union cancer rates, neurological Manmohan Singh on Carbide says the leak was an damage, chaotic menstrual Wednesday extended support act of sabotage by a cycles and mental illness," and sympathy to the victims of disgruntled employee - never BMA said in the report. the Bhopal gas tragedy that identified - and not lax safety A separate study also occurred 25 years ago. standards or faulty plant released on Tuesday by the “The families that suffered design, as claimed by some Centre for Science and and lost their dear ones can activists. Environment (CSE), showed a never really be fully Union Carbide, owned by hand-pump 3km from the compensated,” Dr. Singh said Dow Chemical, says the legal former Union Carbide plant in a statement to mark the 25th case was resolved in 1989 contained 110 times the anniversary of the incident. “We when it settled with the Indian maximum concentration of the owe it to our fellow citizens to government for $470m – pesticide carbaryl deemed safe put in place procedures and compensation some activists in Indian bottled water. precautions to ensure that such say has not reached many a tragedy never occurs again,” victims. Government denial he added. They say children born to Sharing the grief of those parents exposed to the gas New studies say the area affected by the “horrible leak or poisoned by the around the abandoned plant tragedy,” Dr. Singh reaffirmed contaminated water are remains contaminated [AFP] his Government’s commitment suffering from cleft lips, missing The state government says to resolving issues of safe palates, twisted limbs, varying residual chemicals in the drinking water, expeditious degrees of brain damage and a ground are harmless and it is clean up of the site, range of skin, vision and providing clean water to continuation of medical breathing disorders. residents by tankers. research, and any other The state government says It also dismisses assertions outstanding issues connected it has complied with a 2004 that the birth defects are with the disaster. High Court order to clean up related to the disaster. The Government has the waste at the site but critics But the protesters gathered implemented several measures say only a partial clearance of for Wednesday night's vigil to provide relief to the affected toxins was done. disagreed, demanding the families, including socio- government clean up the economic and medical

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster rehabilitation and improvement contract of protecting citizens as to why the Indian state did in living conditions. against threats to life. not up... “Here, I would also like to The Bhopal calamity was Financial Express/ Delhi/ salute the civil society groups allowed to occur when the 03/12/09 who have persisted in pursuing Indian economy was in the justice and compensation to throes of the ‘licence permit Bhopal: A city where those who suffered,” Dr. Singh raj’, where politicians and state said. bureaucrats wielded unlimited tragedy has stopped Methyl Isocyanate, a lethal power over industrial activity. time gas, leaked into the Dirigisme was justified for atmosphere from the pesticide decades prior to the Bhopal Akshai Jain plant of the Union Carbide India accident on the grounds that bhopalTime for a large swathe Ltd at Bhopal on the night of India was a poor country in of Bhopal seems to have December 3, 1984. The which socialist goals could only stopped on December 3, 1984, leakage resulted in over 5,000 be achieved if the state took the day a cloud of poisonous people losing their lives and control and acted as a gases erupted from the Union many others being redistributive force. Carbide factory and swept incapacitated permanently. How did this supposedly through the city, killing over The issue also echoed in paternalistic system—meant to 3,000 people and affecting the Rajya Sabha, where be ‘pro-poor’ and against many thousands more. “We chairman Hamid Ansari called ‘blood-sucking capitalists’—end were happy people before upon the Centre and the up overseeing a shameful that,” is the most common Madhya Pradesh government episode like Bhopal and its refrain you’ll hear in the city to expeditiously settle the aftermath of woefully today. victims’ compensation claims. inadequate rehabilitation, There are many places in “The scars of the tragedy compensation and cleanup of India where time has stood still. still haunt us in the form of toxic waste? Some are very remote or have inca pacitated people and The warning bells of lax just been forgotten by the children born with deformities,” safety norms from the pesticide ‘establishment’, but Bhopal’s Mr. Ansari said when the plant were there for the case is different. It’s a big House met for the day. omnipotent ‘raj’s’ mandarins to bustling city in the heart of Hindu/ Delhi/ 03/12/09 have acted on long before the India. Far from being forgotten, fa teful night of December 3, the city has got more world Bhopal, Chernobyl, 1984. From 1976, excess attention than most other cities. pollution and toxic attacks on Nearly all of it however, has Lop Nor workers had been occurring on been focused on the gas a regular basis at the factory tragedy or gas kaand as it is Sreeram Chaulia site, but the super - better known. On the The 25th anniversary of a dark interventionist Indian state continuing health effects on the day in industrial history is an prone to harassing harmless victims, the state of the occasion to reflect upon the entrepreneurs barely took the hospitals set up to provide crucial role of the state as a opportunity to enforce stricter them treatment, corporate monitor and regulator of inspections and standards on responsibility for the accident economic enterprise. When gas Union Carbide’s management. and the cleanup, current leaked from the Union Carbine The state was certainly not groundwater contamination pesticide factory in Bhopal on unaware of the risks posed by from the plant and future plans the midnight of December 3, the factory’s accident-prone on what to do with the site. 1984, and unleashed poison record, but it did not muscle its While the attention has into air and water to kill over will onto Union Carbide. Some ensured that the ‘issues’ 30,000 and maim hundreds of low-level local authorities did remain alive, it has, quite thousands of exposed people, advise the company to build the ironically, meant that Old the world had scarcely plant in another part of Bhopal, Bhopal, the most affected area, encountered a horror of this out of range of the populated has not moved beyond that magnitude in peacetime. areas, but Carbide refused, day. Ironically, the Bhopal saying relocation was ‘too You wouldn’t notice at first tragedy occurred in a country expensive’. The story of a cost- glance. Its narrow, dusty and that was an electoral cutting and greedy dirt-ridden lanes seem like democracy, in which multinational ignoring local laws testaments to Indian governments were theoretically and placing citizens of industriousness. Mechanic accountable for their people’s developing countries in direct shops, groceries, butchers and safety and security. Yet, a line of harm has been told often small clinics jostle with each postmortem of the ghastly gas enough, but the question arises other for space. It’s always disaster reveals that the Indian noisy and the traffic is chaotic. state failed to honour its social 99

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster But talk to anyone for more areas where you still see pools “It would be nice to think the than ten minutes and it’s likely of mercury on the ground.” contamination had cleared up, that the gas tragedy will come At issue is one of the most but it does make you wonder,” up. This part of the city is famous industrial accidents of Toogood said. “The Swiss divided into those who are gas all time. results just confirmed what we peedit or suffering from direct On the evening of Dec. 2, were expecting to find. There's exposure to the gases, and 1984, methyl isocyanate gas absolutely no doubt their [the those who’re paani peedit or escaped from the former Union Indian lab's] samples were suffering from the effects of Carbide pesticide factory in flawed, but we're not able to groundwater contamination that Bhopal, killing at least 3,000 speculate why that is.” activists attribute to the people immediately. Swiss lab results show chemical wastes stored in the Thousands more are said to chloroform concentrations as Union Carbide factory. have since died or been injured many as 3.5 times higher than Both sets will trace their as a result of the toxic cloud, drinking-water guidelines from problems, health and although the exact death toll the World Health Organization otherwise, back to the disaster. remains unclear. and U.S. EPA, and carbon They’ll point out how meager The government of the tetrachloride at up to 2,400 the compensation was, how Madhya Pradesh state took times higher than the polluted the water they get is responsibility for the site in guidelines. and how little has been done 1998, and Union Carbide is Because of the highly for them. now a subsidiary of Midland, contaminated samples and the The longer you speak to Mich.-based Dow Chemical Co. discrepancies between labs, them the more things return to Indian officials say the Toogood is pushing for an December 3, till you realize contamination around the independent analysis of water they see most of the present factory is largely contained and quality around the site, through that prism. is not a public health threat. including a large-scale What about the future? I The Indian government groundwater sampling project asked a number of people. The announced last week that it and a long-term monitoring answers were usually listless would open the site to the program. and vague. “We’re waiting for public to help people come to “We would like to see a redressal,” they’d say. terms with the disaster. complete cleanup in Bhopal, Mint/ Delhi/ 03/12/09 And Chief Minister Shivraj but you can't have that unless Singh Chouhan told the BBC you have a full environmental Poisoned water today that communities are assessment, and that would being supplied with clean have to be done by an haunts Bhopal 25 drinking water. “There is independent body,” Toogood years after deadly nothing hazardous to human said. “There's too much going accident life. ... People should not be on with politics for it to be done worried,” Chouhan said. “We by the Indian government. Our Twenty-five years after a toxic have secured the site.” tests show that -- there are gas cloud from a pesticide But the new report claims clear discrepancies there.” factory killed thousands of site contamination has had Advocates like Toogood people in Bhopal, India, lasting consequences on insist that Dow Chemical, which groundwater at the accident people exposed to it. “Not bought Union Carbide in 2001, site -- a drinking water supply surprisingly,” the report says, is responsible for the cleanup for 15 communities -- remains “the populations in the areas even though the site is now the contaminated, according to a surveyed have high rates of property of the Indian report released on Tuesday by birth defects, rapidly rising government. an advocacy group and a cancer rates, neurologi cal “Dow bought Union Carbide medical clinic. damage, chaotic menstrual and inherited all of the assets The UK-based Bhopal cycles and mental illness.” and liabilities,” Toogood said. Medical Appeal and the Researchers collected “One of the liabilities is the Sambhavna Clinic say water groundwater samples from 20 Bhopal cleanup. ... Dow would contamination is worsening as locations and sent them to a like to pass the buck chemicals leach through soil lab in Delhi, India. The lab did elsewhere, but as far as we're into the aquifer. not report finding chemicals in concerned, they're responsible. “A hu ge proportion of the its samples, so researchers The Indian government took factory site is full of very toxic sent duplicate samples to a lab responsibility of the site, and waste,” said Colin Toogood, the in Switzerland, which reported they may own land, but they're report's author. “There are high levels of chlorinated not the polluter.” parts of the factory where the compounds in two of its three Union Carbide spokesman soil you walk on is 100 percent samples. Tomm Sprick said in an e-mail toxic waste, and there are that the company never owned 100

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster or operated the plant because was deserted by her husband a Bhopal is at least 10 times that Union Carbide India Ltd. few years after the disaster. of the national figure. managed and operated the There are many like her, still It's a sorry saga that is yet site, and that Union Carbide reeling from the after effects to be fully studied. sold its stake in that company -- that are too many to list. The Indian Council of which continues to operate Besides those directly impacted Medical Research (ICMR) today under another name -- in were the pregnant women, studied the gas victims from 1994. Furthermore, he said many of whose children were 1984 to 1994. Union Carbide provided born with genetic defects and "The treatment of the financial and medical aid to the mental retardation. The victims is impeded to this day victims of the accident. reproductive cycle of women, because Union Carbide refused Finally, Sprick said the state the quality of their breast milk to share all its medical government is responsible for and menstrual cycles were information on the toxic effects cleanup activities and should impacted too. of the gases released that night deal with the groundwater "I had my first pregnancy and with all research and contamination. aborted while running for a monitoring of the long-term Tehran Times/ Iran/ 03/12/09 safer place after the gas leak. I health effects of 'gases' being never conceived again as abandoned in 1994, no The Bhopal health menstruation stopped. The gas treatment protocols have been left me infertile and also gave found so far," said Satinath saga - battling for me several other diseases," Sarangi of the Bhopal Group survival said Pyari Bai, 42. for Information and Action NGOs estimate that (BGIA), who also runs the BHOPAL: More than 3,500 120,000 to 150,000 residents of Sambhavna clinic. people died that night and Bhopal continue to be ill. Also, there has been no 7,000 more in the next three Clinics report a regular stream scientific follow-up nor any days; and 25 years later, 6,000 of patients with a host of study on the long-term impact people visit hospitals every day diseases. of MIC on the reproductive and about 120,000-150,000 In a letter to Lok Sabha tracts of men and women since people in the city continue to be Speaker Meira Kumar and 1994 when ICMR stopped its ill. The Bhopal gas leak is a Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid research. Gynaecological continuing tragedy told through Ansari this week, activists disorders are not even listed countless tales from those who Abdul Jabbar and N.D. among effects of MIC exposure survived and those not even Jayprakash said: "The in official records. born on Dec 2/3, 1984. grievousness of the injuries "Generations of women Diseases of the eyes, lungs, suffered by the victims are such were affected by the gas. liver and kidney, loss of that even 25 years after the Among women who were sensation in the limbs, cancer, disaster no less than 6,000 pregnant at the time of the menstrual irregularities, victims continue to visit disaster, 43 percent aborted. depression, hypertension, hospitals every day due to For several years, spontaneous infertility, mental disorders... disaster-related ailments." abortion rates remained very the victims of the world's worst Mohammed Ali Qaiser, who high. And now girls who were industrial disaster continue to has been treating gas victims at exposed in infancy and in their wage a daily battle on the the Sambhavna Clinic for mother's wombs are health front. several years, says problems experiencing 'menstrual Hazira B, who still lives in have also increased manifold chaos'," added Sarangi. JP Nagar opposite the Union because people continue to be These conditions are also Carbide plant from where over affected by the contaminated leading to social problems. 40 tonnes of toxic methyl groundwater. Rehana of JP Nagar, who has isocyanate gas leaked out on According to Qaiser: "Every three daughters, speaks of the the night of Dec 2/3, says it day, more than 150 people visit stigma. would have been better had our clinic. They include those "Men don't like to marry our they died. who have been exposed to daughters because they feel "My entire family suffers toxic gases in December 1984, that these girls cannot produce from breathlessness, body pain their children and those children. There have been and weak eyesight. My exposed to contaminated cases of our girls getting daughter suffers from fainting groundwater." married and divorced soon fits while my youngest son has A preliminary house-to- after. One girl was divorced tuberculosis. I have had two house survey by the after she gave birth to two miscarriages before reaching Sadbhavna Trust that runs the children, because of irregular menopause at 39," said the 51- clinic estimates that the menses." year-old mother of three who incidence of birth defects in

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster Besides, children of affected Bhopal: Will it affect consequences of MIC exposure parents, conceived and born at a genomic level," he said. after the disaster, were more of the unborn? According to Mishra, MIC significantly different from had played havoc with the children of the same age born K.S. Jayaraman reproductive health of women to unexposed parents, reports BANGALORE: The deadly and their girl children. a study carried out by methyl isocyanate (MIC) gas Menstrual abnormalities, Sambhavna Trust. released by the Union Carbide vaginal discharge and "Such children were shorter, pesticide plant in Bhopal this premature menopause have thinner, lighter and had smaller day 25 years ago affected even emerged as common problems. heads. Also, they showed the unborn, researchers say. "Besides affecting the abnormal growth of the upper The toxic gas altered the reproductive health of the immune system of those who part of their bodies - women, these conditions are disproportionately smaller than were still in their mothers' also leading to social problems their lower bodies," it states. wombs when the disaster in conservative communities," struck, according to a recent New Indian Express/ he said. Bhubaneshwar/ 03/12/09 study by researchers at the Mishra said that Bhopal Memorial Hospital and investigations conducted so far Research Centre (BMHRC) in at BMHRC and other places Twenty-five years after Bhopal. have raised a new question: for "Our study shows, for the how long the gas victims would SIR, ~ Your editorial, ‘One first time, that in-utero MIC continue to suffer from multi - Score and Five’ (29 November) exposure during the Bhopal recalled chilling memories of system disorders and whether gas tragedy has caused a future generations would also the Bhopal gas leak exactly 25 persistent immune system years ago. I was travelling on be affected by these hyper-responsiveness in abnormalities. the Gorakhpur-Bombay VT affected individuals," Express. The train suddenly "In-depth molecular studies Pradyumna Kumar Mishra told of ocular, respiratory, came to a halt. Each one of us IANS. The findings have been in the AC II-tier compartment reproductive, immunological, published in the journal genetic and psychological woke up with a feeling of Occupational and nausea. health must be continued if we Environmental Medicine. wish to understand the extent We realised that we were Whether this "immune inhaling some sort of smoke, and severity of long-term hyper-responsiveness" has any effects associated with the but had no idea what it was. clinical implications will be clear The almost suffocating disaster," Mishra said. only after follow -up of the He pointed out that the atmosphere persisted for about exposed individuals, the importance of such ten minutes. Then there was a BMHRC researcher said. jerk and the train started experimental studies cannot be The release of 30 -40 tonnes understated "since any moving again. of MIC spreading over alterations at genomic level can Next morning we learnt that our approximately 75 sq km killed train had actually stopped at have long-term health at least 3,500 and injured consequences that may range Bhopal when the deadly MIC thousands more. There are from accelerated ageing, gas was leaking. We thanked more than 500,000 registered Providence and, of course, the carcinogenesis, immuno- survivors of the tragedy, Mishra compromised states and, more brave station master in Bhopal said. importantly, vertical who gave the green signal to The survivors continue to the train, thus saving the lives transmission of genetic experience higher incidence of aberrations." of a few hundred passengers. health problems, including Unfortunately, he himself was New Indian Express/ respiratory, neurological, Bhubaneshwar/ 03/12/09 among the thousands who psychiatric and ophthalmic perished in the world’s worst symptoms, Mishra said. environmental disaster. To understand the long-term Bhopal: EU Parliament Yours, etc., PS Ghoshdastidar, implications of MIC exposure, seeks answers (Professor, Dept. of Mechanical doctors at BMHRC have Engineering, Indian Institute of conducted chromosomal Bhopal, 2 Dec: Mr Graham Technology, Kanpur), studies in cultured mammalian Watson (MEP), chair of the Kanpur, 2 December. cells using MIC as an European Parliament’s India Statesman/ Kolkata/ 03/12/09 experimental agent. "The delegation has tabled a written results of the study have declaration in the EU provided evidence to hitherto Parliament today on the 25th unknown molecular anniversary of the Bhopal mechanisms of immunotoxic disaster, urging India and the company responsible to ensure 102

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster immediate decontamination of "People living next to the Union now," said Sayyed Irfan, a the Union Carbide site, where Carbide factory - where the victim of the gas tragedy. toxic chemicals continue to ground water is contaminated Thousands of tonnes of pollute groundwater. by poison from the hazardous methyl isocyanate (MIC) Mr Watson’s declaration chemical waste of the factory - spewed out of the Union came in the wake of a study will also join the march while Carbide factory on the night of released in Bhopal yesterday, the children who were poisoned Dec 2-3, 1984, killing over where researchers from the by contaminated ground water 3,500 people instantly and Center of Science and form a prominent part of the maiming several thousands for Environment (CSE) have found rally," said Rachna Dhingra of life. that the same toxic pesticides the BGIA. New Indian Express/ have leached into the Another torch light Bhubaneshwar/ 03/12/09 groundwater. There has been profession was taken out no response from the Centre so separately by Bhopal Gas Bhopal protests on far on the damning CSE report, Peedit Mahila Udhyog while the Madhya Pradesh Sangathan (BGPMUS) led by 25th anniversary of state government has gone into activist Abdul Jabbar. killer gas leak denial mode. Mr Babulal Gaur, "Since Mashaal (torch) minister for Bhopal Gas Relief, means Jaagte Raho (keep Indian activists marked the 25th has gone on record saying that awake), our procession is anniversary of the Bhopal gas the groundwater in colonies aimed at appealing to the leak disaster on Thursday with near the plant is not people to beware of the protests and demands that contaminated. designs of various those responsible for In response to Mr Watson’s governments who are soft on thousands of deaths finally be declaration tabled today, the Union Carbide, which has held to account. Swedish Embassy in New Delhi taken the lives of thousands of Demonstrators and contacted the CSE seeking people and even now people survivors capped a week of answers to three questions. are still dying," Jabbar said. commemorations with a The Embassy wanted to know The organisations planned march to the Union the status of all settlements condemned the union Carbide pesticide plant in with regard to the contaminated government for its alleged Bhopal, where on December 3, site and the legal status of Dow failure to take action on the 1984 a cloud of methyl Chemicals in India. In addition, non-bailable arrest warrant isocyanate gas killed up to information was sought on what issued in July this year against 10,000 people within three has been the EU’s role in Warren Anderson, former days. solving Bhopal’s problems. chairman of Union Carbide. Studies released earlier this “Dow Chemicals should take The survivors have also week showed the shantytowns responsibility for the clean up of been demanding immediate surrounding the site were still the site, and the European setting up of an Empowered laced with lethal chemicals that Commission should offer its full Commission on Bhopal gas polluted groundwater and soil, support ”, said Mr Watson to tragedy for long-term medical causing birth defects and a th e EU Parliament. care, economic and social range of chronic illnesses. Statesman/ Kolkata/ 03/12/09 rehabilitation and supply of safe "The survivors of the drinking water, besides tragedy, through these cleaning up of the hazardous protests, are venting their ire Torch rally to mark waste. against the state government Bhopal tragedy They said that 15 months for its inaction in clearing the have passed since the prime toxic waste," said Satinath BHOPAL: As the sun went minister gave a written promise Sarangi of the Bhopal Group of down on Bhopal Wednesday, regarding setting up the Information and Action. victims of the gas tragedy set commission, but it has not yet Res earch by the Indian out on a torch light rally from been formed. Council for Medical Research one landmark, Bhopal Talkies, "The problems that we (ICMR) showed 25,000 people to another unfortunate faced at the time of the gas have died from the landmark - the now defunct tragedy are nothing in consequences of exposure Union Carbide factory. comparison to what we are since 1984. The procession was taken facing now. The government is After those studies out by the Bhopal Group of not providing us with proper concluded, government Information and Action (BGIA) - medicines. We don't have statistics said 100,000 people working for victims of the gas money to get ourselves treated were chronically sick, with more disaster that occurred at the by private doctors. The than 30,000 people living in factory exactly 25 years ago - situation is just worsening water-contaminated areas and groups affiliated to it. around the factory.

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25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster The government of Madhya Javed Naqi, a coordinator with Pradesh, of which Bhopal is the International Campaign for capital, assumed responsibility Justice in Bhopal. for the site in 1998, and has Criminal cas es against only partially cleared the former Union Carbide hundreds of tonnes of toxic executives are pending in materials scattered around the various Indian and US courts plant. which hold them and Dow liable Thousands more tonnes lie for the catastrophe. just yards away from the plant Amnesty International called in man-made "solar on Dow to "cooperate fully in evaporation ponds" where the ongoing legal proceedings Union Carbide was dumping in order to ensure that those waste for years before the responsible are held accident. accountable." The state government says Hindustan Times/ Delhi/ the material is not harmful, and 03/12/09 to prove this planned last month to open the site to visitors. It later reversed the decision. In a statement released to coincide with the anniversary, Dow Chemical -- which purchased Union Carbide in 1999 -- said a $470 million settlement reached in 1989 with the Indian government "resolved all existing and future claims" against the company. Union Carbide "did all it could to help the victims and their families" until the settlement and said the Indian government should be responsible for providing clean drinking water and health services to residents. It said at the time and continues to insist that sabotage was behind the leak. Most of the settlement money was used to pay compensation of between $1,000 to $2,000 to victims who were left unable to work or with long -term ailments, but many received nothing at all. "People came and told us we could apply for compensation," Laxmi Narayan, whose wife suffers terrible eye complaints apparently caused by the industrial accident, told AFP. "They took our name down, but we never saw a penny." Demonstrators of all ages would rally to "push our longstanding demands of compensation, medical and health facilities and rehabilitation of victims," said 104

25 Years After Bhopal Gas Disaster