Gujarat Govt to Pay Rs 7 Cr as Compensation for Silicosis Deaths

Representative image of a quarry. (Photo: iStockphoto)

The Supreme Court has issued a bailable warrant against the chief of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) after he did not show up to explain what steps were taken to prevent the death of workers due to silicosis in Gujarat.

The court also directed the Gujarat government to release more than Rs 7 crore as compensation to the families of 238 workers who died from silicosis, reports The Indian Express.

Silicosis is a lung disease caused by the inhalation of dust containing silica. Most workers in this particular case, have been diagnosed with silicosis due to the exposure to silica dust while working in Godhra’s quartz and stone crushing industries.

Hundreds of people, mostly tribals from Madhya Pradesh, have died due to silicosis while working in Gujarat. Issuing the order last week, a bench of Justices Kurian Joseph and Rohinton F Nariman expressed their concern over the negligent attitude of the CPCB in addressing the issue.

The Indian Express quoted the bench of justices as saying:

Despite service of notice on the Chairman of the CPCB, there is neither any personal appearance nor any appearance through the counsel requesting exemption from personal appearance. In that view of the matter, issue bailable warrant for securing the presence of the Chairman of the Board on the next date of hearing.

Read the full report on The Indian Express.

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