laying emphasis on striking a balance between environment and development on the 30th anniversary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy here, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said all measures should be taken to avert a repeat of such an industrial disaster.
He said, “Development at what cost and for whom, people should think over it as today is the day to ponder on this issue. We must realise that there is a need to strike a balance between environment and development to avoid recurrence of such a tragedy.”
The Chief Minister said it was difficult to imagine what the victims had gone through on that fateful night (the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984).
The poisonous gas had affected large number of people and ruined their lives. “I pay my tributes to all of them who suffered because of the tragedy,” Chouhan said.
The Chief Minister informed that the State Government had already given Rs 3,840 crore compensation to 5.74 lakh affected persons and had proposed to give an additional Rs 675 crore to them.
Earlier, an all-religion prayer was held at the Barkatullah Bhawan to pay homage to victims of the tragedy. The NGOs working for the rights of the affected persons also took out protest rallies in old Bhopal area where the defunct Union Carbide factory is situated and burnt effigies.
They demanded adequate compensation, proper medical treatment and severe punishment to those responsible for the tragedy.
At the prayer, Chouhan urged people to take resolve that Bhopal gas tragedy-like crime against humanity should not recur anywhere in the world. He said that any city would not become Bhopal of December 3, 1984. The Chief Minister was addressing an all-religion prayer meeting on 30th anniversary of Bhopal gas tragedy at Barkatullah Bhavan (Central library).
Chouhan said that balance between development and environment is necessary. Disaster takes place when nature is over-exploited. We should not forget about safety in wanton race of development. He said that effective treatment and rehabilitation of gas affected people is responsibility of government and society.
At the meeting, representatives of Sanatan, Islam, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist and Bohra communities recited their holy scriptures. A two-minute silence was observed to pay tribute to deceased of gas tragedy. Home Minister Babulal Gaur, Health Minister Narottam Mishra, former CM Kailash Joshi, MlA Vishwas Sarang, Municipal Corporation Chairman Kailash Mishra, Ramesh Sharma Guttu Bhaiya, other public representatives and distinguished citizens were present on the occasion.