(a) whether the attention of the Government has been drawn to the news
regarding Justice to Bhopal Gas Victims appearing in the Hindi daily
`Jansatta` dated October 29, 2002;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government thereto; and
(c) the details of the steps taken by the Government for speedy disposal
of cases relating to compensation and rehabilitation of Victims?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a): Yes Sir,
(b) & (c): Government is aware of the issues raised in the news report and is
committed to provide all possible help to Bhopal Gas victims. It has created
an office of the Welfare commissioner under the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster
(Processing of Claims) Act, 1985 to adjudicate and disburse compensation to
Bhopal gas victims. In all, 10,29,431 cases were filed by the claimants, out
of which 10,29,265 cases have been disposed of by the end of 31st October
2002. An amount of Rs.1521.56 crore has been disbursed as compensation.
CBI has filed a criminal case in the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bhopal
against Union Carbide Corporation and others. 89 prosecution witnesses have
been examined, so far. According to information received from CBI, a revised
request for extradition of Mr. Warren Anderson is under final stages of
preparation. For the medical, social, economic and environmental
rehabilitation of Bhopal Gas victims, the Central Government had approved a
five year Action Plan with an outlay of Rs.258 crore. This outlay was to be
shared between the Government of India and the State Government of
Madhya Pradesh in the ratio of 75:25. The Central Government has already
released its entire share of Rs.193.50 crore. The State Government is
implementing the Action plan.