The Orissa High Court on Tuesday issued notice to the State Government on a PIL seeking closure of Bhushan Steel Plant at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district on account of serious violations of safety norms regulations that led to a mishap killing three and injuring many others last month.
The division bench of Justice P Mohanty and Justice Debabrata Das has asked the Chief Secretary and Secretaries of Revenue and Disaster Management, Industries, Steel and Mines to file counter affidavits within a week. Notices have also been served on Chairman State Pollution Contorl Board, Collector Dhenkanal, managing director IDCO, Managing Director Bhushan Steel and State Labour Commissioner to file their responses within the stipulated time.
The PIL filed by a social activist of Banarapal in Angul district Udaynath Behera and four others prayed for closure of the steel plant due the illegalities committed and institution of an inquiry by an independent agency like CBI into the matter. The petitioners have also called for an interim stay on operation of the industrial unit till disposal of the petition.
The company flouted all the laws right from the stage of land acquisition to labour laws and safety norms while establishing and operationalising the unit. The illegalities were committed in connivance with officials of the Government and the local administration, the petitioners stated.