CITU opposes out of court settlement with Dow Chemicals

By Staff
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Google Oneindia News

Bhopal, July 2 (UNI) The Centre of Indian Trade Unions has expressed concern over the reported move by the government to ''bail out'' multi-national Dow Chemicals from its liabilities arising out of the Bhopal gas tragedy, which claimed thousands of lives and thousands injured.

Decrying the move initiated by Indo-US Business Council for out of court settlement with Messrs Dow Chemicals, presently owner of Union Carbide Corporation from whose premises toxic chemicals leaked in December 1984, CITU reminded the government of its commitment to claim damages from Dow Chemicals for environmental destruction and for health hazards including contamination of ground water caused due to reckless dumping of chemical wastes.

In a statement here today, CITU Secretary Dipankar Mukherjee said CITU regretted to note that the government, instead of scientifically assessing the depth and spread of contamination, was being egged on by the chairman of Indo-US Business Council and Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission to bail out Dow Chemicals of civil liabilities on the plea of promoting investments.

''CITU is shocked that this whole exercise is being carried out keeping the residents of the gas affected area in dark'', Mr Mukherjee said.

He also called upon the government to take proactive steps to extradite former UCC chairman Warren Anderson, prime accused in the criminal case relating to Bhopal gas disaster, and to vigorously pursue its case against Dow Chemicals strictly in line with ''polluter pays'' principle.

''CITU also regrets that Planning Commission Deputy Chairman is giving a very wrong message to the country by his over enthusiastic stance in bailing out the American companies under the clouds like Enron and Dow'', Mr Mukherjee added.

UNI

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