Nagpur: The explosion that tragically claimed nine lives at Solar Industries India Limited (SIIL) rocked the Assembly on Monday, sparking a fervent demand from the Opposition for justice for the victims and their families. Leader of the Opposition, Vijay Wadettiwar, alongside Nana Patole, directed pointed queries at the Shinde Government, firmly raising the issue within the House. Amidst the impassioned discussions, the Congress sought accountability, pressing on the critical query: Who bears responsibility for the loss of these workers’ lives?
Explosion due to negligent company management:
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Tuesday 12 Nov. 2024
Wadettiwar and Patole said serious questions are being raised about the safety of the workers in the company. A shocking fact is that workers in the company were being paid very low wages. Workers are given ‘targets’ for work. If the ‘target’ of the work was not met, the proper remuneration was not given, the Congress leaders stated.
“If the administration had checked all these irregularities in time, lives of nine labourers could have been saved. The work of the company should be investigated in a fair and impartial manner and strict action should be taken against the concerned if found guilty,” they said. Not only this, the two leaders also took up the demand of filing a case under Section 302 of the IPC against the company owner. “The State Government announced an aid of Rs 5 lakh to the family of the deceased. But this help is very meagre,” said Patole and demanded help of Rs 50 lakh for the family of the deceased.
Unskilled workers employed:
Wadettiwar and Patole said that a shocking information also came to light that unskilled workers were appointed in Solar Explosive Company in Bazargaon. They accused company managers of hiring unskilled workers to manufacture explosives as playing with their lives.
Explosion took place six months ago also in the company:
The Congress leaders said that there was an explosion earlier in 2018 at Solar Explosive Company in Bazargaon. One worker died in it. Even in 2023, there was an explosion six months ago. But the company is being accused that this case was suppressed.
Meanwhile, explosives related to industrial and defence sectors are manufactured in the Solar Company located in Nagpur district. Satyanarayan Nuwal, who is very close to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and BJP, is the director of this company. Along with India, the solar company also has a presence in Turkey, Zambia, Nigeria, South Africa, Australia, Ghana, Tanzania.
Solar Company’s products are used in more than 50 countries around the world. The company manufactures electronics detonators, three layer shock tubes, Blastek 90, P-3 and P-5 explosives. However, the villagers of Bazargaon and surrounding areas are constantly accusing the company of exploiting the workers. Even on Sunday, after the incident, a large number of villagers took to the streets and protested.
While the government has announced a compensation of Rs 5 lakh for victims’ next-of-kin, Wadettiwar has demanded Rs 50 lakh each. “Besides, jobs should be provided to the surviving kin. We want justice to be done and for that we have raised our voice in the Assembly,” said Wadettiwar.
The Congress leader also alleged that SIIL was employing people who were not qualified to handle the task. “Around 5,000 employees work here with each being paid Rs 12,000-Rs 18,000 per month. Their qualifications are not known. Besides, they are denied minimum wage as per norms.”
