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Activists hail decision to dispose of Bhopal UCC waste in Germany | Activist Satinath Sarangi on Wednesday hailed Centre's decision to dispose off the 350 metric tonnes of toxic waste from the gas leak in Germany, lying for the past 28 years near the plant of Union Carbide here. Talking to mediapersons here, Sarangi said the Central government's
decision vindicated their stand and called it a minor but significant victory
in their 22-year-long battle for justice. “Happy to know that the cabinet has
finally decided on the disposal of the 350 metric tonnes and that it will be sent
to Germany for safe disposal,” he said. Sarangi expressed regret over the heavy
cost that will be incurred by the government in disposing off the waste overseas.
“Who is going to pay for the disposal of this waste? For the transport and disposal
somewhere around 25 to 30 crores are going to be spent. How does the government
going to make DOW chemical pay for it?" he asked. Sarangi said that the real task
was to make the environment clean after the waste is disposed. “It is essential
that the government immediately takes the decision for a comprehensive scientific
assessment of the depth and spread of the toxic contamination to identify the
chemicals that are there, to find out what is the best technology that should
be needed to excavate, to contain and dispose off the thousands of tons of toxic
waste in and around the factory,” he added. A group of ministers (GoM) headed
by Home Minister P Chidambaram visited Bhopal on June 05, soon after the Supreme
Court criticised the government for not removing toxic debris from the vicinity
of the now defunct plant of Union Carbide. Union Carbide settled its liabilities
with the Indian government in 1989 by paying 470 million dollars before another
US-based company, Dow Chemicals, bought it over. India is trying to see if Dow
can be held liable and be forced to pay up more compensation whereas it denies
owning up any responsibility.
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