Anderson extradition: Chouhan disappointed with PM on issue

Bhopal, June 30 (ANI): Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Wednesday said he was disappointed with Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh for not discussing the extradition of former Union Carbide chief Warren Anderson with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the Toronto G-20 Summit.

"It was expected that the Prime Minister would discuss the Bhopal Gas Tragedy with Obama but he did not do so," Chouhan told reporters here.

Chouhan claimed that the Indian Government is not serious about the plight of the Bhopal gas victims, and questioned the central government, demanding to know who would try to extradite Anderson and when?

He also said that the government of Madhya Pradesh has formed a one-member high power committee of retired High Court judge to look into all issues around the Bhopal gas incident.

"The government of Madhya Pradesh has decided to set up an inquiry commission. And this commission will look into the circumstances in which this incident took place and also the reasons behind the release of Anderson, on whose instructions was he let off, and who all are responsible for this. All the evidences will be probed by this commission," said Chouhan.

Earlier, the Group of Ministers (GoM) headed by Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram held four sessions to deliberate on areas that require attention for providing relief to people affected by the disaster.

It recommended a payment of Rs 10 lakh to the next of kin of the dead.

Those permanently disabled or suffering from critical ailments arising out of the deadly methyl isocyanate gas leak are likely to get Rs five lakh, while those partially debilitated will get Rs three lakh. (ANI)