(a) whether Government of Madhya Pradesh has sent proposals for
different rehabilitation programmes for Bhopal Gas Victims;
(b) if so, the details in this regard programme wise;
(c) the action taken by the Union Government on each of such
programmes; and
(d) the time by which the aforesaid programmes are likely to be
sanctioned and implemented?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS (SHRI TAPAN SIKDAR)
(a)to(d):Earlier, the Central Government had approved an Action Plan submitted
by the State Government of Madhya Pradesh for the medical, economic, social
and environmental rehabilitation of Bhopal Gas victims with a total outlay of
Rs.163.10 crore. The outlay was subsequently increased to Rs.258 crore in
phases. The expenditure was to be shared between the Central Government
and the State Government of Madhya Pradesh in the ratio of 75:25. The Central
Government has released its entire share of Rs.193.50 crore. Recently, the
State Government has submitted a number of proposals such as creating of
Corpus fund to meet the recurring expenditure on the Schemes completed under
the Action Plan, establishment of Memorial at UCIL premises, disposal of toxic
wastes lying in UCIL premises, water supply to the gas affected wards,
development of parks and plantation in gas affected wards, construction of
additional houses etc. amounting to Rs.1755 crore with the request that it could
be funded from the unspent money lying with Reserve Bank of India. According
to Supreme Court directions, the money received from the Union Carbide is
earmarked for paying compensation to the Bhopal Gas victims. All the
compensation claims have not yet been decided. In some of the proposals, the
State Government has been advised to take up the matter with the concerned
Ministries/Departments of the Government of India.