Taking strong exception to the recent blast on premise of steel plant of Bhushan Steel Limited in Dhenkanal district where there is no clear information about number of labourers left injured and dead, Union Ministry of Labour has sought a detail report.
The Union Minister has asked Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner K. D. R. Acharie to make a visit to the steel complex and prepare detail report.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, Kodikunnil Suresh, Union Minister of State for Labour, said, “we understand seriousness of the problem. I have instructed Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner to visit the plant and submit a report.”
“The labour issue is concurrent one. While the Union government deals with labour issues concerning to Central public sector, all other labour issues come under the State government. However, the labour issues could be taken up at our level if serious violation is not dealt properly at the State government level. As of now, we have not received any complaint from any Central trade unions in this regard,” Mr. Suresh said.
When contacted Mr. Acharie said, “we are in constant touch with the Labour Department of the State. I have spoken to district magistrate and Labour Department officials at Dhenkanal over the Bhushan steel mishap.”
The Union Labour Minister said there were strict laws relating to safety and labour in place and strong action would be taken against those who would violate it.
In an accident that occurred during commissioning of second blast furnace on Bhushan steel plant premises, one person was killed and 15 others were injured on November 13.
However, a controversy soon erupted over the number of labourers and technical persons engaged by the company for commissioning of blast furnace.
Despite, several attempts both by the Dhenkanal district administration and the Labour Commissioner’s office, as of now the company is not able to provide clear information about number of workers in the steel plant.
