The number of persons injured in the Bhushan Steel Plant mishap has gone up to 28. Initially it was reported that 17 persons sustained injuries in the incident that took place on November 13.
The Government officials had claimed that while one had died, 17 workers were injured in the explosion of blast furnace in Bhushan Steel Limited (BSL). But, as per the data collected by the District Labour Department, one person had died while 28 workers sustained burn injuries. Most of them were sent to nearby hospital and some of them to local nursing homes excluding one to two persons to Cuttack hospital.
This apart, BSL had informed the police and Labour Department that 267 persons were working at the furnace site on the day of incident. But the department probe has found a mismatch in the biometric, non-biometric and registers’ figures. The number of labourers at work may increase by 50 to 60, said District Labour Officer PK Mohanty.
Meanwhile, Assistant Labour Commissioner Laxmidhar Rath visited the Angul private hospitals where four victims are undergoing treatment.
Of the injured labourers, Kabir Kumar Lenka of Patkura in Kendrapara district, lost sight in his right eye and sustained multiple injuries.
BJP demands steps against BSL MD
Senior BJP leader Bijay Mohapatra has demanded action against the Managing Director of Bhushan Steel Limited (BSL) under the National Security Act (NSA).
Talking to mediapersons here on Saturday, Mohapatra said, “BSL has been creating public disorder since its inception. Casualties are on the rise and lives of workers are not safe in BSL.”
As many as 70 cases have been lodged against BSL for violating several laws including Factories and Boilers Act, pollution norms and Labour Act, he said. “Evidence and facts speak volumes about the company’s disrespect for laws of land for which Government should register NSA. If Government is taking action against criminals under NSA, why cannot it take step against BSL?” he questioned.
Mohapatra also demanded that a scientific team should be constituted to verify machineries of the industry to ensure adherence to the safety and pollution norms.
A state team of BJP led by Mohapatra and senior leader Rudra Narayan Pany visited the BSL plant and met the labourers on Saturday.