MARGAO
Tired of the industrial pollution at the Cuncolim Industrial Estate over the years, Cuncolim citizens on Friday sought to know whether the units are operating by complying with the safety norms laid down for workers.
Local residents demanded that the police and agencies such as the labour department should conduct a strict inquiry into the latest Ammonia gas leakage episode and ensure safety of the working class.
The demand for an inquiry was made by the citizens as some of the workers from the tool manufacturing unit were seen moving out of the premises with their belongings.
“Are there any safety precautions put in place in the units in the Cuncolim Industrial estate?” a local resident Aviraj Desai questioned, as he demanded to know how come the labourers were found sleeping in makeshift accommodation in the premises of the unit.
“We have seen the labourers leaving their rooms. But there ought to be a detailed inquiry by the Cuncolim police and labour department over the accommodation of labourers in the premises of an industrial unit,” he said.
He recalled there were several instances wherein some of the factories had started operating sans the mandatory fire NOC. “The department concerned should conduct an inquiry. These labourers come from other states to eke out a living. They certainly deserve better conditions,” he said while demanding justice for the deceased labourer.
Another resident pointed out that people of Cuncolim had been forced to breathe gases and consume poison, and are now being exposed to foul odour from the fish meal and the fish processing units.
“For 20 long years, people had to breathe smoke and consume zinc, lead and copper from the estate. Now, we have to bear with odour from the fish meal and fish processing plants,” the resident said.
