Demanding better industrial safety for workers in Chhattisgarh, a day-long dharna was staged by different trade organisations and members of the civil society at Budha Talab the ‘Dharna Sthal’ on Thursday.
Gautam Bandhopadhyay of Sayunk Majdoor aur Nagrik Adhikar Sangathan said that the dharna had staged to protest the rising death toll in industrial mishaps in the State. He said that during the past several years, major industrial mishaps like Balco chimney collapse, Ambuja cement factory mishap and others have occurred. However, the persons responsible have not been punished.
“We demand that the State Government to release a White Paper over the issue on what measures have been taken in connection with industrial mishaps since the formation of the State,” he said.
Quoting reports presented in State legislative Assembly Bandhopadhyay said during the past two years, 118 deaths were reported in different industrial mishaps. “Several unreported deaths have been left out. On one hand the Government is promoting industries in the State, industrial summits are being held while on the other hand industrial safety has been left out,” he lamented.
How a better industrial policy could be made which safeguards both industries and industrial safety is matter of our concern, he said.
Bandhopadhyay was of the view that there is a need for proactive work for industrial safety in Chhattisgarh.