New Delhi, June 20 (IANS) The ministerial panel on the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy met here for the third day Sunday to deliberate on the areas that require attention to provide relief to people affected by the world’s worst industrial disaster.
The Group of Ministers (GoM), headed by Home Minister P. Chidambaram met once Friday and twice Saturday. It is expected to finalise its report on the tragedy and submit it to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Monday.
One area of focus the group has been considering is the possibility of greater compensation for the victims’ families and those affected.
The other issues the group has been discussing are: strengthening the legal framework to deal with industrial disasters; cleaning up the site; and exploring options of pressing liability claims against Dow Chemicals, which bought Union Carbide.
The GoM in its Sunday meeting is to discuss environmental issues and clean up of the toxic waste at the affected factory site in Bhopal from where the killer gas leak occurred 25 years ago killing and maiming thousands.
Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh will be making a presentation on the issue at the GoM meeting. Sources said the GoM will recommend that the central government provide assistance, but will fix responsibility on the state to clean the site of the toxic waste.
On Saturday, the GoM discussed the legal implications behind reopening the case against Union Carbide and providing health care for the victims.
