The National Green Tribunal (NGT,) on the 8th of May, directed LG Polymers, a South Korean company, responsible for the Visakhapatnam gas leak tragedy to pay Rs. 50 crores, as an initial compensatory payment.
After reviewing the incident, the NGT asked the company to pay for the loss of human life, the environment and public health. The amount needs to be handed over to the Visakhapatnam administration.
Headed by Justice Anand Kumar Goel, the NGT Chairperson, a five person bench, reviewed the matter as a suo moto case. The bench said, “Having regard to the prima facie material regarding the extent of damage to life, public health and environment, we direct LG Polymers India Pvt., Ltd., to forthwith deposit an initial amount of Rs. 50 crore with the District Magistrate, Visakhapatnam.”
Justice Goel also formed a five member committee to visit and inspect the site and submit a report before the NGT. The committee comprises of Justice B. Seshasayana Reddy, former Judge of Andhra Pradesh High Court, V. Rama Chandra Murthy, former Vice Chancellor of Andhra University, Pulipati King, Head of Chemical Engineering Department of Andhra University. The remaining two members are Member Secretary of Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB,) Director of CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology and Head of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute.
The Member Secretary of CPCB would act as the nodal agency for their coordination.
The detailed report would comprise of the sequence of events, causes of failure, authorities responsible, extent of damage to life, human and non human, public health and environment.
In addition, the report would also mention the steps taken by the State Government, the compensation amount and the medical facilities. The report is asked to be submitted before the 18th of May. The next hearing regarding the case is scheduled on the 18th of May.
Meanwhile, on the 8th of May, the death toll due to the Vizag gas leakage rose to 12 from previous day’s 11 deaths.
A man identified as Gangadhara Chowdary died at a hospital while undergoing treatment.
The other 11 people who died on the 7th of May were identified as Meka Krishnamurthy (72,) P Varalaxmi (38,) Appala Narsamma (45,) N. Greeshma (9,) A.N. Nani (40,) Kundana Shriya (6,) A. Chandramouli (19,) Ganga Raju (48,) B. Narayanamma (35,), A.V. Nukaraju (60) and P. Shankar Rao (40.)
Source ; IANS.
