Context- The government’s curative petition for additional compensation from the Union Carbide Corporation was recently denied by the Supreme Court.
Key Highlights
- Concerning the updated death toll of 3,000 to 5,295 victims, the central government approached the Supreme Court for an increase to the initial settlement.
- The petition was denied by the court for a number of reasons, including the fact that an effort to increase compensation should have been made immediately following the tragedy rather than three decades later.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy
- Methyl Isocyanate (MIC), which has the chemical formula CH3NCO or C2H3NO, leaked from Union Carbide’s (now Dow Chemicals) pesticide plant in Bhopal, the capital of Madhya Pradesh, on December 3, 1984.
- When exposed to air, methyl isocyanate is a colorless, highly flammable liquid that quickly evaporates. It has a strong, sharp smell. It is very harmful and assuming that its focus in the air contacts 21ppm (parts per million), it can cause passing promptly after breathing in the gas.
- One of the worst chemical disasters ever, it still has a negative impact on the people living in the affected areas.
- In 1989, the government settled with Union Carbide out of court for 470 million dollars in compensation for the Bhopal disaster’s damages.
Legislative Actions
- In 1985, the Bhopal Gas Leak Disaster (Processing of Claims) Act was passed, giving the Indian government some authority to settle claims. It granted the Central Government sole authority to represent and act on behalf of all parties involved in the claims.
- In 1991, the Indian government passed the Public Liability Insurance Act, making insurance for businesses a requirement. The insurance premium would go to the Environment Relief Fund, which would compensate victims of a disaster like Bhopal.
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