People's Democracy

BHOPAL DISASTER

Prakash Karat Demands All-Party Meeting

On June 22, 2010, Prakash Karat, general secretary of the CPI(M), wrote the following letter to Dr Manmohan Singh, the prime minister, on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers (GoM) on the Bhopal gas accident. We are reproducing the text of the letter below.

IT has been reported that the Group of Ministers set up on the Bhopal gas accident has finalised a set of recommendations. It has also been reported that you have called a cabinet meeting on June 25 to discuss the report of the GoM.

While appreciating your intention to take a speedy decision on the various matters concerning the payment of enhanced compensation, medical treatment and the clean-up measures to be taken at the site of the plant, I would request you to consider the following.

Since providing justice and adequate compensation for the victims of the gas tragedy has dragged on for 26 years, it is important that the views of the large number of people affected should be taken into account.  Further, there are questions about who is liable for the damages and the remediation measures to be undertaken.

In view of this, I would request you to call a meeting of all political parties along with the representatives of the organisations of gas victims where the recommendations made by the GoM can be discussed. 

It would be better if the Union Cabinet takes a final decision on the recommendations of the GoM after such a meeting.