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The Hindu
03-07-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
CITU blames lack of safety audits for recurrent accidents at pharma units
Expressing concern over the death of 40 people in the reactor blast at a pharma company near Hyderabad, CITU State general secretary Ch. Narasinga Rao has blamed callousness by factory managements and lack of safety audits for the recurring accidents in pharma companies. 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 He alleged that the use of outdated equipment and the reuse of recovered solvents were the main causes for reactor blasts.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.
The Hindu
10-06-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
BMS slams labour law amendments, warns of direct action
The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has strongly opposed and condemned the State government's decision to amend the existing labour laws through the AP Factories Amendment Bill, 2025. Addressing the media on Tuesday, BMS National Vice President M. Jagadiswara Rao and State General Secretary M.V.S. Naidu criticised the decision to increase the working hours to 10, stating that it would negatively impact workers' health and welfare. They dismissed the State government's justification that these changes were necessary to ensure Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and will attract investors. The leaders said that the changes would not reduce procedural burdens for industrial units. The increase of OT (Overtime) hours from 50 to 144 hours every quarter is wrong and will impact employment prospects of job seekers. Mr. Jagadiswara Rao recalled that the BMS had previously opposed the four Labour Codes proposed by the Centre to replace labour laws, as they were not in the interests of workers. Many State governments have been amending their labour laws with the Centre's decision. Now, the Alliance government in AP has decided to amend its labour laws and sent the proposal to the Centre. He added that the OT policy was brought in to utilise the services of workers for emergencies, not regularly. The proposal to permit women workers in night shifts even with safeguards is not correct. The BMS leaders reiterated their demand for the withdrawal of the proposed amendment, failing which they would resort to direct action.
Hindustan Times
03-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
U.P. govt to offer more incentives, flexibility in new EODB measures
The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is preparing to introduce new ease-of-doing-business (EODB) measures under the PLEDGE (Promoting Leadership and Enterprise for Development of Growth Engine) Park Scheme, which is being revamped to offer developers more flexibility and incentives, officials said. According to the state government, the MSME department has drafted a detailed proposal for amending the existing provisions of the PLEDGE Park Scheme to make it more developer-friendly. Once approved, these changes will provide new advantages, including land use flexibility and reduced development charges. At present, the scheme allows private investors to establish industrial parks on 10 to 50 acres of land, offering benefits like stamp duty exemption, subsidised interest rates on loans, and financial support. The proposed amendments aim to boost participation by introducing significant reforms. These include permitting up to 10 per cent commercial and business activities within the parks, easing land use conversion regulations, and offering concessions in development charges, officials said. To fast-track industrial park approvals, the revised policy may authorise the director and commissioner of industries to approve layouts and building maps. Further, the uniformity in stamp duty rates for PLEDGE Park-related transactions is being prioritised, and the power to approve stamp duty exemptions may also be extended from district magistrates to deputy commissioners of industries, officials said. The government plans to develop a better road network to and from the parks. Developers will also benefit from relaxed norms reducing the required external road width from 12 metres to 7 metres.
Hindustan Times
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ahead of ground breaking ceremony: Set up 10 anchor units under industrial policies, create 78K acre land bank, says CS Manoj Kumar Singh
Chief secretary Manoj Kumar Singh has issued directives to expedite investment projects and prepare eligible projects for the upcoming Ground-Breaking Ceremony (GBC) as part of the state's push towards a $1 trillion economy. Singh, while chairing a review meeting at Lok Bhawan, here on Tuesday, instructed departments to establish at least 10 anchor units under various industrial policies and ensure the timely inclusion of eligible projects in the GBC. He emphasised refining policies in consultation with industry associations and stakeholders to foster a more investor-friendly environment. Departments have been asked to create a 78,000-acre land bank by utilising LDA land, under-utilised department land, and land from sick units. District magistrates and VCs have been tasked with meeting specific land allocation targets. Singh also stressed regular updates on the PM Gati Shakti portal to streamline project execution and directed departments to actively utilise the platform for gap analysis and data management. Invest UP CEO Vijay Kiran Anand reviewed projects exceeding ₹200 crore and urged departments to expedite account management and maintain consistent coordination at the ACS and PS levels. He emphasised effective implementation of 34 operational policies to improve the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) for existing and prospective investors. The officials from key sectors, including UPNEDA, IT & Electronics, tourism, textile, horticulture, dairy, MSME, civil aviation, and UPSIDA, attended the meeting.
