Parties demand judicial probe in BSL accident

SP and the Left today demanded a judicial inquiry into the mishap at Bhushan Steel Limited's factory at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district where one person was killed and 19 others were injured.
"BSL authorities have tried to hush up the proof and records. Even the authorities are unable to provide the number of actual workers inside the plant when the blast occurred. Government officials, police, media, political party leaders, trade union people were barred from entering the plant. Even media reports say the collector and SP were not allowed," the parties in a letter to the Chief Minister said.
Demanding a judicial probe into the incident which happened on November 13 last, the parties comprising CPI, CPI(M), Forward Bloc and Samajwadi Party, also sought compensation of Rs 20 lakh and a job to the kin of the deceased.

Since its inception, about 100 workers have been killed in accidents and 70 criminal cases are pending against BSL in the court, they pointed out.
"The plant is a habitual offender and has thrown the Factory Act, laws relating to pollution and environment, Reserve Forest Act and Industrial Safety Act in thin air," they alleged.