The poisonous Methyl Isocynate (MIC), which leaked from the Union Carbide factory on the midnight of 2-3 December, 1984 caused the death of thousands including women and children. While the government says only 3,787 people died in the tragedy, independent surveys claim that between 8,000 and 10,000 people were directly affected by the gas leakage.

What is shocking is that as much as 350 metric tonnes of poisonous waste are still lying on the premises of the Union Carbide factory. A section of the victims and their families claim that the chemical waste amounts to over 8,000 metric tones. Also, another 10,000 tonnes of waste had been dumped in the Solar Imporation pond. These poisonous wastes have contaminated water in the adjoining colonies.

As if this was not enough, the victims continue to face government's indifference to their plight. A statement made by Union Minister for Environment Jairam Ramesh a few months ago has angered the victims and their families. He had gone on record that the wastes had no impact either on the water table or on the health of the people.

Taking the cue from the Union Minister, the State Minister for Gas Tragedy Relief also claimed that the waste lying in the premises of Union Carbide is not at all hazardous. However, organisations and groups working on gas relief work have challenged their contention. At one stage, the state government was inclined to open the Union Carbide site to the public but it was opposed by these groups. The court also prevented the government from doing so.

Abdul Jabbar, convener of the Gas Tragedy Victims organisation, points out: “Some people are spreading the message that the victims have got ample compensation and have all been rehabilitated. But the truth is far away from it. In a settlement deal with the Union Carbide in 1989, the company agreed to pay relief only to family members of 3,000 dead and one lakh two thousand injured. However, during the trial it's found that the death and injury toll was more than five times of what was initially thought. Officials disbursed the relief to some victims and the rest are still in the waiting list.”

No proper treatment has been ensured for the victims either. According to rough estimates, more than 40,000 people injured in the tragedy are in urgent need of medical attention; every day, approximately 6,000 people come to hospitals for treatment. What has added to the problems is the shortage of doctors in these special hospitals set up for the gas victims

The State's gas welfare minister Babulal Gaur says: “The Gas Tragedy Relief department and officials from the Finance section are aware of the victims' problems. We have decided to appoint special designated doctors and paramedics at these hospitals. This proposal will be put before the Cabinet.”

But despite the Minister's announcement 88 posts of special designated doctors, 157 posts of other doctors and 192 posts of paramedics are still lying vacant.

Besides, the people have been complaining about the worsening quality of water. They accuse the local authorities of doing little to address this problem. They assert that the water available in the colonies adjacent to the factory is not worth drinking. An expert, who preferred to remain anonymous, said that if these lethal chemical wastes are not disposed of urgently, then water table in the region might get further contaminated. (IPA)