Massive Protest Against Killer Asbestos Plant in Bihar

Mr. Sumit Sen

Resident Editor

The Times of India

Patna (Kolkata Market)

Subject-Massive Protest Against Killer Asbestos Plant in Bihar

Sir,

Apropos “Asbestos firm cries foul over

'protests<http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/Asbestos-firm-cries-foul-over-protests/articleshow/7220092.cms>'”

(The Times of India, Patna, Jan 5, 2011), World Health Organisation (WHO)

says, "currently about 125 million people in the world are exposed to

asbestos at the workplace. As per its estimates, more than 107,000 people

die each year from asbestos-related lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis

resulting from occupational exposures. One in every three deaths from

occupational cancer is estimated to be caused by asbestos. In addition, it

is estimated that several thousands of deaths can be attributed annually to

exposure to asbestos in the living environment."

Unpardonable callousness on the part of Bihar government in the matter of

proposed asbestos plant is facing bitter resistance by the villagers. The

agitation has huge potential to become Bihar's Singur if the plant is not

stopped. There has been firing on non-violent protesters on 13th December

and on 9th December when a team of doctors visited the village at the behest

of a Patna based Nagrik Forum to hear the health concerns of the villagers,

the villagers were lathicharged. In protest, the villagers are sitting on

Dharna.

What is poisonous in 52 countries cannot become non-poisonous in India.

Human biology is the same everywhere.

Canada which is one of the bigger suppliers of asbestos has decontaminated

its parliament and has adopted a no home use policy. Why should villagers

Chainpur-Bishunpur in Muzaffarpur, Bihar be exposed to killer fibers of

asbestos. On 30th December, Turkey has joined the group of countries that

have banned trade and use of asbestos of all kinds.

Kerala Human Rights Commission (KHRC) has ruled that exposing Indians to

asbestos is a human rights violation. This paves the way for the eventual

complete ban on asbestos and its products. On January 31, 2009, the KHRC

ruled that the government should take steps to phase out asbestos roofing

from all schools in the state.

National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has passed an order recommending

that the asbestos sheets roofing be replaced with roofing made up of some

other material. The Annual Report of NHRC 2003-2004 refers to a Report

entitled “Asbestos – Health and Environment – an in-depth Study” submitted

by the Institute of Public Health Engineers, India. NHRC is currently

examining an application to make our country asbestos free at the earliest.

Even if one asbestos fibre reaches the right place, it causes irreversible

damage - leading to asbestosis, lung cancer or mesothelioma. On August 18,

2003, Mrs Sushma Swaraj, the then Union Minister of Health and Family

Welfare informed the Parliament "…long-term exposure to any type of asbestos

can lead to development of asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma."

Asbestos is not deemed safe even by Government of India that's why is

asbestos mining is banned in India. Some 52 countries has banned asbestos.

In 2006 alone there were more than 1,000 mesothelioma deaths (asbestos

related fatal disease) in Japan. In US 10, 000 people are dying of asbestos

disease.

Balmukund asbestos company got clearance by misleading Central Pollution

Control Board saying the site of the plant is a 'barren' land in its

Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report although its a fertile land. It

has been pointed out since May 2010 that this company has violated all the

relevant provisions of the EIA Notification, 2006. The Union Environment

Ministry has been apprised of the situation and it is learnt that they are

in the process of initiating action against the company.

When Mr S S Ahluwalia, former member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on

Science, Technology, Environment & Forests was briefed on 7th January, he

was surprised to note that India as a country still uses asbestos despite

knowing that almost all the developed countries have banned it. He promised

to raise the issue of the proposed asbestos plant in Bihar at his

party's *national executive meeting* underway in Guwahati.

 A letter to this effect has been sent to Dr C P Thakur, former, Union
Health Minister and Member, Parliamentary Standing Committee on
Chemicals and Fertilizers as well. Almost all the MPs from Bihar has been
apprised of the imminent public health crisis due to asbestos plants proposed
in Bhojpur, Vaishali and Muzaffarpur.

Such hazardous plants should not be allowed even on non-agricultural lands

and plans must be urgently made to decontaminate existing asbestos laden

buildings in Bihar and elsewhere.

    With Best Regards

    Dr. Ishwari Prasad

    (Rtd. Professor<Economics)

    Jawaharlal Nehru University

     New Delhi