Nitish rejects asbestos plant

Patna, Feb 7 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumartoday said though there was no no ban on application andproduction of asbestos in the country, he had returned theproposal sent to him by the State Industrial Promotion Board(SIPB) in Muzaffarpur district respecting the people''ssentiments.

"I have reurned the proposal sent by the SIPB to mefor setting up an asbestos plant at Chairnpur-Bishunpur inMuzaffarpur district respecting the sentiments and feelings ofthe people," Kumar said while replying to query about theongoing protests by locals against the decision to set up thefactory.

Kumar, however, said the environment ministry had,however, cleared the proposal for setting up the proposedplant.

"But, if such a factory of asbestos can harm thepeople''s health, I will appeal to the world community toinitiate a debate on the issue and in the event of itsnecessity, a ban be imposed," he said. PTI AJK PR

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