CITU blames lack of safety audits for recurrent accidents at pharma units
Mr. Narasinga Rao, while addressing the media on Wednesday, recalled the accident occurred at Escientia Pharma in Atchutapuram near Visakhapatnam last year, which claimed 17 lives. 'During the last one year, 32 persons have lost their lives in 11 accidents at pharma units in Anakapalli district,' he said.
The gas leak from the LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam in the past had claimed 15 lives. He alleged that the negligence of the management was responsible for those accidents.
'However, neither the Centre nor the State had punished the erring management. On the contrary, LG Polymers was given the red carpet to set up its plant in Sri City of Tirupati district. Though pharma companies are in the red category list, the mandatory inspections were ignored on the pretext of Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and Speed of Doing Business (SODB),' Mr. Narasinga Rao said.
He alleged that inspections were not being conducted by the officials concerned even after complaints related to violations of laws were lodged. 'Inspections are being done only after approval from Delhi,' he said and sought to know why AI could not be utilised to prevent industrial accidents.
He alleged that the use of outdated equipment and the reuse of recovered solvents were the main causes for reactor blasts.
'The governments are washing their hands off after payment of ex gratia. A super speciality hospital with a burns unit should be available close to pharma industries. The Burns Unit, which was available in Visakhapatnam Steel Plant (VSP), was closed,' he pointed out.
He said that it was unfortunate that the governments, which were evincing keen interest in the establishment of pharma companies, were not bothered about the safety of workers. The lack of rest, enrolment of unskilled workers, in areas which require high proficiency, were the other causes contributing to accidents.
CITU district president KM Srinivas, and Pharma City Staff and Workers Union president Ganisetty Satyanarayana were present.
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