Government Stands with Gas Victims at Every Step: CM Dr. Yadav

Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav stated that the leakage of Methyl Isocyanate (MIC) gas in Bhopal on the night of 2–3 December 1984 was a horrific tragedy in which a large number of people lost their lives. Chemical waste remained at the site for nearly 40 years. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble High Court, the State Government has successfully ensured the disposal of this chemical waste without causing any environmental damage or loss of human life. The Chief Minister stated that the government will now consult all sections of society and affected stakeholders and proceed with the development of the Union Carbide Factory campus. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble High Court, a memorial will be built in the now-clean premises in memory of those who lost their lives in the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. He reiterated that the State Government stands with gas victims at every step and will leave no stone unturned in their welfare.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav conducted a detailed inspection of the Union Carbide factory campus located in Arif Nagar, Bhopal, on Saturday. He sought information from officials of the Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department regarding the proposed memorial. Senior officials, including Secretary to the Chief Minister Alok Kumar Singh, Public Relations Commissioner Deepak Kumar Saxena, Director Gas Relief Swatantra Kumar Singh, Municipal Commissioner Smt. Sanskruti Jain and other senior officers were present.

All Necessary Arrangements to be Made for Proper Development of the Factory Campus

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said that the chemical waste lying at the Union Carbide India Limited factory campus has been properly disposed of under the guidance of the Hon’ble High Court. Along with the development of the Bhopal Metropolitan Area, all necessary arrangements are being made for the comprehensive development of this campus as well. He noted that he is the first Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh to enter the Union Carbide factory campus without a safety mask and conduct a close inspection of the core area.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav said, speaking to the media after the inspection, that the toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide factory in Bhopal was not only Madhya Pradesh’s but the country’s worst gas disaster. The scenes of death witnessed by Bhopal on the night of 2–3 December 1984 will never fade from memory. After the tragedy, the then government showed grave negligence, abandoning the area and failing to remove the toxic waste after the factory was shut down. Those responsible at the time even helped the factory owner, Warren Anderson, flee the country. He added that even during the tenure of the United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre, no steps were taken to develop the gas-affected area. The Chief Minister said that last year, in compliance with all court directives, the State Government ensured the disposal of Union Carbide’s toxic waste. This sends a message to the world that hazardous Waste can be disposed of through modern scientific methods without causing any harm to the environment or human life. He said the government has removed this long-standing stigma from the capital and that all concerned departments and stakeholders, including the Gas Relief Department, deserve appreciation.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav informed that the state Government is working in close coordination with the Central Government to establish systems of urban development and good governance. Under the guidance of the Hon’ble Court, suggestions for the construction of the memorial and other development works on the campus will be implemented after discussions and after taking all stakeholders into confidence. The State Government will work towards the redevelopment of this area. To accelerate development, the State Government has decided to develop Bhopal and Indore as metropolitan cities. Bhopal and six surrounding districts will come under the metropolitan region. Every possible effort is being made to remove obstacles to Bhopal’s development. The government, he said, is continuously accelerating the journey of development.

Chief Minister Halts Convoy on a Woman’s Request

While returning after the inspection, Chief Minister Dr. Yadav was stopped by a woman performing a prayer in Arif Nagar. On her request, he halted his convoy. The woman requested him to offer incense sticks to Lord Bholenath. The Chief Minister accepted the incense, offered prayers, and sought blessings. He warmly interacted with local women, asking if everything was fine and whether they were receiving benefits under the ‘Ladli Behna’ Scheme. The women confirmed they were receiving ₹1,500 every month.

Chief Minister Dr. Yadav also interacted with school students and took selfies with them, bringing smiles to their faces. A woman, Smt. Manju Bai informed him that her husband was ill and sought financial help. The Chief Minister assured her and, along with another woman, Smt. Prabha Bai Kushwaha, approved ₹50,000 each from the Chief Minister’s Discretionary Fund on the spot. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav instructed the Bhopal Municipal Commissioner to note their bank details and ensure speedy disbursement. The Commissioner informed that ₹10,000 each would be given immediately on Saturday, with the remaining amount to be transferred to their bank accounts shortly.