THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government has decided to continue the probe into the sabotage angle of the gas leak at the Kerala Minerals and Metals Limited (KMML). Though the government had received three reports, it is yet to ascertain what went wrong which led to the gas leak at the factory. Stating that there were ‘aberrations’ in the functioning of the company, Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty said the probe into the sabotage angle will continue as there was widespread allegations.
He said this after a high-level meeting was held here which was attended by Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Labour Minister Shibu Baby John, ADGP Hemachandran and officials of KMML, Pollution Control Board and Factories and Boilers Department. Pointing out that the primary concern of the government was with respect to security, Kunhalikutty said that drastic measures such as safety audit and risk analysis would have to be taken up.
He also said that technological upgradation and modernisation of KMML was needed for ensuring safety and security. The reports of Hemachandran, Pollution Control Board and Factories and Boilers Department were submitted to the government.
Asked if the reports had named any person responsible for the gas leak, Chennithala said that action will be taken only after the probe was completed. ‘’The probe is still on and any action will be only after its completion,’’ he said.
On the steps that has to be immediately taken, he said that a decision will be taken after a meeting with the Chief Minister on Wednesday. ‘’Everything will be known by Wednesday.
A decision on the long term and short term measures to be taken will be discussed at the meeting,’’ he said.