Union Minister of Steel Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh reached Bhilai today on 10th October 2018 following the unfortunate incident of fire yesterday in Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) that has claimed 12 lives. Union Minister of Steel who was accompanied by Chief Minister Dr Raman Singh and Minister of State for Steel Shri Vishnu Deo Sai went straight to the Plant's JLN Hospital & Research Centre where he held a meeting with Chairman SAIL, doctors & hospital administrators and senior officials of the Company. Union Minister directed those engaged in the treatment that all efforts must be made to provide the best possible treatment to those injured. A team of doctors from AIIMS, New Delhi had arrived earlier today morning to assist the medical team of Bhilai treating the injured employees, some of whom have sustained extensive burn injuries. The doctors from AIIMS have expressed satisfaction about the facilities in the hospital and the treatment being provided by BSP hospital team.
SAIL is deeply saddened by the loss of 12 employees in this unfortunate incident that took place yesterday at around 10.30 AM during a planned maintenance job on gasline. The team consisted of expert workers who had extensive experience of the safety and maintenance protocol of such jobs.
Later addressing media persons at the hospital premises, Union Minister of Steel announced ex-gratia payment of Rs 30 lakh to family of each of the deceased employees, Rs 15 lakh to the seriously injured employees and Rs 2 lakh to employees with minor injuries.He also assured that all possible assistance would be provided to families of deceased persons. Later at a meeting with senior officials of SAIL, Union Minister advised that a BSP officer be appointed to ensure early disbursal of ex-gratia amounts and provide all the support to the families.
Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh told media persons that apart from the internal enquiry committee constituted by SAIL that was announced yesterday, another high-level Enquiry Committee comprising of experts from across the country to enquire into the actual cause of the incident would be constituted by Ministry of Steel.
Union Minister apprised media persons that disciplinary administrative action has been initiated against the responsible officials of BSP. In response to queries from media persons, the Minister said that new techniques of de-blanking would be introduced to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future.
Earlier on 9th Oct 2018, Minister of State for Steel Shri Vishnu Deo Sai, accompanied by Chairman SAIL and his team of Directors had rushed to Bhilai to coordinate relief measures and also to ensure that best possible treatment is provided to the injured persons.