Lok Sabha Question No. 4521 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-01-08
Subject: Bhopal Gas Tragedy
Ministry: CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS
Asked by: JAGDAMBIKA PAL

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS

## DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICALS AND PETROCHEMICALS Lok Sabha

Un-starred Question No. 4521 TO BE ANSWERED ON 8 th  January, 2019

## Bhopal Gas Tragedy

## 4521 SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS be pleased to state:

- (a) the amount allocated by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MCF) in 2010 for economic rehabilitation of the victims of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy;
- (b) the specific heads/purposes under which the amount allocated was divided;
- (c) whether the money allocated has been utilized by the Department of Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation (BGTRR), Government of Madhya Pradesh, for the intended purposes, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) whether any amount was diverted to fuel different State Government schemes and if so, the details thereof;
- (e) whether  MCF  has  approved  the  diversion  of  any  amount  of  the  funds,  if  so,  the details thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (f) whether  MCF  has  sent  a  letter  to  the  Principal  Secretary,  BGTRR,  regarding alleged misuse of the funds and if so, the details thereof; and
- (g) whether the Principal Secretary, BGTRR has responded to the letter and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILIZERS  RAO INDERJIT SINGH.

- (a) A sum of Rs. 272.75 crore was  sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance, Department of Expenditure 'On Account' payment of Additional Central Assistance (ACA) for other projects (Grant Component) to the State Government of Madhya Pradesh projects under the New

Plan of Action for the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster in the year 2010. Out of that, an amount of Rs.104 crore has been allocated for Economic Rehabilitation.

- (b) and (c) The amount of Rs.104 crore was  proposed for subsidy to the entrepreneurs to establish their ventures in terms of:
- (i) Rs. 1 lakh for each Gas victim provided employment with a capping of 50% of total capital investment - Rs. 100 crore
- (ii) Establishment of the marketing cell to promote the products made by Gas victims Rs.2 crore
- (iii) Establishment  of  the  HR  cell  for  placement  of  the  skilled  Gas  victims  at  various industries and establishments - Rs.2 crore.

As reported by Government of Madhya Pradesh, none of the organizations/entrepreneurs  came  forward  for  the  assigned  training  schedules  and  the approved  plan  did  not  succeed.  As  per  the  choice  of  the  affected  people/family,  an entrepreneurship training programme with built - in mandatory employment was launched by the  Government of  Madhya Pradesh in lieu  of  that  approved  programme.  Government  of Madhya  Pradesh  also  reported  that  12,355  beneficiaries  were  selected  for  training  in different fields and trained , out of which 5,200 got placement.  A sum of Rs. 18.13 crore has been spent under this scheme.

- (d) and (e) Government of Madhya Pradesh reported on 10/3/2016 that the entrepreneurship training programme launched under Economic Rehabilitation programme was not attractive, as the beneficiaries after getting training were reluctant to move out of Bhopal. Govt. of Madhya Pradesh submitted a proposal to utilize an amount of Rs. 25.12 crore  from  the  unspent  balance  for  providing  self-  employment  to  the  gas  victims  under 'Mukhyamantri  Swarojgar  Yojna'  (Chief  Minister  Self  Employment  scheme)  which  include Rs. 1.00 crore for component of appropriate/relevant training. The proposal was considered and necessary administrative approval was accorded in May, 2018.
- (f)  NGOs viz Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Stationery Karamchari Sangh, Bhopal Gas Peedit Mahila Purush Sangharsh Morcha, Bhopal Gas Peedit  Nirashrit Pension Bhogi Sangharsh

Morcha,  Bhopal Group  for information and Action, and Children  Against Dow -Carbide in a joint representation dated 28/1/2014  had alleged the  misuse of funds meant for Economic Rehabilitation  for  Bhopal  gas  victims.  The  same  was  forwarded  on  9/2/2014  to  the Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal Gas Tragedy Relief and Rehabilitation Department seeking their comments/clarification.

- (g)   Based on the clarification given by Government of Madhya Pradesh, NGOs was replied on 14/01/2015 as follows:-

'The  Government  of  Madhya  Pradesh  called  for  Expression  Of  Interest  (EOI)  for 'Training cum employment/placement' and followed a transparent procedure for selection of the agency that would undertake this. As a result, training and rehabilitation of gas victims has started and so far, the following number of beneficiaries have been selected/trained and given placement:

| S. No.   | Expression of Interest   |   Beneficiaries Selected |   Beneficiaries Trained |   Placement* |
|----------|--------------------------|--------------------------|-------------------------|--------------|
| 1        | EOI-1                    |                     2130 |                    2130 |         1605 |
| 2        | EOI-2                    |                     6585 |                    6585 |         5492 |
| 3        | EOI-3                    |                     3840 |                    3440 |         2203 |
|          | Total                    |                    12555 |                   12155 |         9300 |

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