The state steel and mines minister, Rajnikant Singh, has asked Dhenkanal collector to investigate the fire accident at Bhushan Steel labour colony, that claimed four lives.
“Such incidents are happening frequently. Earlier many deaths were reported at Bhushan Steel. The Collector and Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC) had issued warning to the company. We have asked the collector to investigate into the matter and submit a report soon,” he said.
On Sunday, four people died and three got injured in a fire accident that took place at a labour colony of Bhushan Steel, situated at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district.
While three persons died at the spot, one succumbed to the injuries at a private hospital at Cuttack, where three others are being treated.
Though the police is yet to find out the reason for the fire accident, sources said, an electric short circuit and gas leak from nearby cylinder caused the mishap.
All the workers belong to Jharkhand and were employed by a private firm called RS Engineering which is engaged by L & T, the contractors of the Bhushan’s steel project at Meramundali.
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The company officials have announced Rs 8 lakh per person ex-gratia for each deceased person and job to one person of the family. It has decided to bear the medical expenses of injured persons.
With these deaths, the total number of accidental deaths in Bhusan plant premises since it started construction in 2005 has gone up to 90.
Meanwhile, the public accounts committee (PAC) of the state assembly on Monday visited Bhushan project and expressed concern over the safety of workers engaged in the plant. It has directed the Dhenkanal district administration to take strict action against the company management so that such mishaps are averted in future.