Summary of Bhopal Gas Tragedy

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an unusual phase took place where many people were compensated due to the poor state condition in the country. That is the reason why people who have still not compensated sit outside the prime minister’s house in silent protect every year on the anniversary of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy Disaster.

In order to prevent re-occurrence of such catastrophe in future, firstly it ought to be clarified to the organization worried that on the off chance that any accident happens then organization will bear the obligation and if there any lapse of security on their part, during signing the Memorandum of Understanding between the company and the Government. Moreover, in case of an incident, it should be clear that the company must pay fifty percent of the compensation amount to the victims and the Government. In case of Bhopal Gas Tragedy, this was violated as Union Carbide Company paid an insufficient amount of compensation for the disaster. Due to Indian Government’s poor bureaucratic management, many affected people did not receive even the small amount of money which the company sent after. Secondly, the victims should not be asked for evidence to get his/ her compensation i.e. no consideration of the tort law to get compensation. This is a problem, people have been constantly facing in India and it is big time that we change these law so that people can receive their compensation without any trouble. This point was raised when there was an oleum leak at Sriram Industries in Delhi, 1986 that killed one person. Supreme Court announced a judgment where this point was considered.

Thirdly the government should take required actions if local people notice and report something unexpected happening near the site which was again neglected during the Bhopal Gas Tragedy before the catastrophe occurred. It was said that locals reported about witnessing gas leaks twice or thrice earlier but on a small scale. Clearly the plant had issues with its set ups and Government considering these locals reports seriously would have avoided the disaster from occurring but unfortunately that was not the case which brings me to my next point i.e. clearance certificate. A clearance certificate must be issued before starting any plant and if locals report any incident regarding the plant then it should be shut down immediately and investigation must be ordered. Moreover the locals must be told about possible escape routes in case a disaster take place. Moreover Disaster Management Committee should be brought into the picture which would work with the company and spread awareness. And lastly, there must be some witness protection act, so that they do not change their point of view under any kind of political pressure from the company, as seen in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy.

Thus there are several important lessons to be learnt from the above incident and if certain steps are kept under the control then such gigantic catastrophe could be avoided from re-occurring in future.