VASCO
Goa State Industries Association (GSIA) on Thursday reacted sharply to reported claims by Chief Inspector of Factories and Boilers (FaB) Vivek P Marathe that 70% of the industries are not complying with the safety norms laid down under the Factories & Boilers Rules.
A press release issued by GSIA President Damodar Kochkar stated that Marathe had made the statement in relation to the accident at Zuari Agro Chemicals Ltd (ZACL) plant at Sancoale, which claimed the lives of three workers of the maintenance contractor.
"We understand the plant was due for annual maintenance shut down and a contractor was hired to work on the condensate tank. The contractor was working with due permission. It is common knowledge that accidents happen in spite of all precautions and safety norms.”
“We agree that action should be initiated as per rules if there were any lapses on the part of the company. But to link this accident and to make a generalised statement that 70% of the industries do not comply with safety norms is not appropriate on his part," said Kochkar.
Kochkar said the GSIA has requested Marathe to provide relevant to assist him in getting compliances from industries.
“We have asked for the list of industries which are coming under his jurisdiction as per Factories & Boilers Rules besides asking the list of 70% of industries which are not complying with safety norms and rules & regulations of Factories & Boilers,” said Kochkar.
"We have informed Marathe that we are receiving several complaints from industries that Factories & Boilers are asking for various audits such as ventilation audit, illumination audit, health audit etc., where the consultants on the panel, who are from outside the State, charge exorbitant fees of around Rs 1.5-2 lakh, where the audit takes hardly 3 to 4 hours.”
Copies of the letter written to Marathe have been forwarded to Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, industries minister and the factories and boilers minister.
