THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Against the backdrop of the gas leak at KMML and the related developments, Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty will convene a high-level meeting on August 12 at his chamber here to evaluate the situation and to decide the measures to be taken to prevent the repeat of such accidents.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Labour Minister Shibu Baby John, Finance Secretary V Somasundaram, who is also the chairman of the KMML, Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Kollam District Collector, director board members of KMML, ADGP Hemachandran, Pollution Control Board chairman, Factories and Boilers Director and senior officials of KMML and Industries Department will attend the meeting.
Minister Kunhalikutty said that he had ordered the Industries Secretary P H Kuriento conduct an enquiry and submit a report immediately on the gas leak occurred on August 6 following which 120 children had to be hospitalised.
On the next day of the incident, the KMML MD was summoned and his explanation was sought.
In the meanwhile, report of another gas leak appeared and news spread that tension was prevailing in the area.
Following this, the MD was asked to rush back to the factory, he said. Following reports that sabotage was behind the gas leak, the Chief Minister and the Home Minister were consulted and asked to conduct a probe, he said.
The Industries Minister said beside police, two experts from Kochi Refineries,doctors from the Medical College Hospital here, internal investigation officers of the KMML, experts from the Factories and Boilers Department and Industries Principal Secretary conducted inspection at the factory.
The high-level meeting is being convened on the basis of their reports, Kunhalikutty said.
Meanwhile, Governor Sheila Dikshit has expressed shock and grief at the hospitalisation of several students following alleged gas leak at KMML. ‘’I also pray for the speedy recovery of the students,’’ she said in the message.