Congress Walks Out of Chhattisgarh Assembly, Alleges Selective Action in Industrial Accidents
Raipur: Alleging that the state government was adopting a selective approach in fixing accountability for industrial accidents, the Opposition Congress staged a walkout from the Chhattisgarh Legislative Assembly on Tuesday after expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s response on a series of fatal industrial mishaps, including the Vedanta plant accident in Sakti district.
Leader of the Opposition Dr Charan Das Mahant questioned the government’s decision to name Vedanta Limited chairman Anil Agarwal in the First Information Report (FIR) while seeking clarity on whether similar action would be taken against directors and top management in all industrial accidents across the state.
Raising the issue during Question Hour, Mahant said consecutive industrial accidents had exposed serious lapses in workplace safety. Referring to the Vedanta plant mishap in Sakti district, he said the accident claimed 25 lives and left several others injured.
“The government must clarify the present status of the investigation against Vedanta Limited director Anil Agarwal and other officials named in the FIR. It should also disclose the number of safety audits conducted across industries and the action taken against managements responsible for negligence,” Mahant said.
Responding to the discussion, Industries Minister Lakhan Lal Dewangan informed the House that five major industrial accidents had occurred in the state in recent months and safety audits had been carried out in all the affected units.
He said an FIR had been registered against Arun Mishra, Yogendra Patel, Vedanta Limited director Anil Agarwal and others in connection with the Singhitarai industrial accident. The Labour Department has also filed a petition before the labour court, while the police investigation is continuing.
“The government will not spare anyone found guilty,” Dewangan said.
Former Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, however, questioned the government’s rationale for holding the company’s top leadership accountable in the Vedanta case alone. He asked whether the inclusion of Anil Agarwal in the FIR was influenced by external pressure and sought an assurance that directors of all companies involved in future industrial accidents would face similar legal action.
The minister maintained that investigations were being conducted as per law and action would be taken based on evidence.
Unconvinced by the government’s response, particularly over the absence of a clear explanation on the criteria for fixing responsibility on company directors and the progress of the investigation, Congress members staged a walkout from the House in protest.
