Union Carbide victims get compensation 20 years later
New Delhi (AsiaNews) - After a 20 year long- wait, the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy may finally get some relief. The money could give a new lease of life to the victims. Tragedy struck Bhopal a town in the Central Indian State of Madhya Pradesh, twenty years ago, when a deadly gas leaked from the multi-national 'Union Carbide Plant' leaving thousands dead and thousands more maimed for life.
In 1989, the Union Carbide Corporation deposited 470 million in full and final settlement of claims, rights and liabilities as compensation to the victims of the tragedy. The Supreme Court today ordered the Welfare Commissioner to make the fresh disbursement on "a pro-rata basis".
The Supreme Court says "No More Delay."
The victims have greeted with directives with cautious optimism. The Supreme Court has stated that the money will be distributed through the local claims court. The question most victims asks is "Will the money actually reach the victims or will it be the middle-men who will still prosper. Distribution of the money to the victims and their families has been a slow and arduous process as disbursement of the compensation has been plagued by legal wrangling. Victims want the Supreme Court to oversee the disbursement of the money as they do not trust the local courts. They fear the real issue is corruption.
Reactions to the compensation are mixed, too little too late are the feelings of many of them . An elderly women appeared skeptical on receiving the news of the compensation "There is wide spread corruption, when will I see the money, I have suffered long enough, I hope at least I will get some relief in my life time, What should I be happy about?". A woman reacted hysterically to the news of compensation as she had lost her son and husband to the tragedy, and was left to fend for herself all these years, "will the money bring them back to life? she wailed inconsolably ". Many victims have been reduced to living in misery and poverty, unable to even pay for their mounting medical bills as the prolonged wait for a compensation that never came. Another woman has been forced to work as a daily laborer to earn to provide for her husband and daughter who has severe respiratory problems as a result to the gas leak, and are practically bed-ridden and unable to move out of the house and earn a living.
More positive the Church reaction. In an exclusive interview to AsiaNews, Bishop Pascal Topno, SJ. Archbishop of Bhopal, expressed happiness at the decision of the Supreme Court. Archbishop Topno stated that when the lethal gas leak took place, the Church was in the forefront of Relief Measures. The Church was actively involved in relief work to save the lives of the victims and alleviate the sufferings of the victims, medical relief camps and shelters were opened by the Church authorities providing food to the victims of the calamity and many other rehabilitating measures for those who lives were wrecked by the tragedy. Archbishop Topno stated he feels a certain satisfaction that now the people may experience a feeling of closure to their nightmarish wounds, and perhaps they could now go on with their lives. More than 80% of the victims belong to the Muslim communities. Archbishop Topno further stated that presently the Church is not much involved in the legal battles for compensation, which is being taken care of by Politicians and Non Governmental Organizations (NGO). When asked by Asia News if the Archbishop felt, there would be any problem of Disbursement of funds, he replied that "Money should reach the people" he said that approximately 16,000 people were victims and families who await this compensation.
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07/06/2010
22/02/2008
