Citizen Forum demands arrest of Bhushan steel plant owner

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
Bhubaneswar, Mar 6:

The Forum for Citizen Rights has demanded the arrest of the owner of the Bhusan steel plant.

“The Bhushan steel plant has now become a human slaughter house. As per the government reports, since 2005 till November 2013, more than 110 workers have been killed inside the plant premises while on duty which is more much more than the casualties that have occurred in any plant in the country”, said the Forum members in a press briefing here on Wednesday evening.

Referring to the announcement of Labour and Employment minister Bijayshree Routray following the death of two labourers in Blast Furnace-2 mishap in Bhushan plant in Dhenkanal in November last year that the owner of the plant would be arrested if any such incident takes place in the plant in future, the Forum members said the plant has witnessed the death of two labourers during the last fortnight.

“On the basis of the announcement of the minister, the owner of the plant should be arrested immediately. Besides, the minister should also resign since he has failed to stick to his announcement”, they demanded.

They also alleged while the Bhushan authorities had taken possession of the lands of the locals with a promise to provide 70 percent employment to them, there has been no local employment by the company till date.

“The company has been running a crusher unit inside the plant premises without the prior permission from the state government in gross violation of the pollution norms while efforts are on by a group of senior plant officials and some local leaders to destroy the evidence on accidents that have taken place in the plant”, they claimed.

Among others, president of the Forum Samir Panda and secretary Alok Mishra were present.

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