NGT directs LG Polymers to deposit Rs 50 cr; forms panel to fix responsibility

NEW DELHI: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), which had taken suo motu cognizance of the LG Polymers gas leak in Vishakhapatnam on Thursday morning, has now directed the South Korean firm to deposit an amount of Rs 50 crore with the Vishakhapatnam DM in light of the prima facie extent of damage caused to life, public health and the environment.

After details emerged about the factory trying to reopen without the appropriate environmental clearances, the NGT has also ordered a five-member committee headed by a former Andhra Pradesh High Court Judge to fix responsibility for the leak that has now killed 12 and hospitalised nearly 1,000.

Significantly, former Union Energy Secretary and environmental activist, EAS Sarma has alleged that the AP State Pollution Control Board had given permission to the company to operate with impunity and has sought action against the firm and officials who purportedly compromised on regulations.

Several other environmental activists have also claimed that the LG Polymers plant has been built on state land and that successive governments had bowed down to the South Korean firm when it threatened litigation for trying to take back the land.

In its order on Friday, the NGT also issued notices to the APPCB, Central Pollution Control Board, Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change along with the Vishakhapatnam DM and LG Polymers.

Furthermore, the Tribunal has formed a committee comprising Professor CV Rama Chandra Murthy, Former V-C of Andhra Pradesh University; Professor Pulipati King, HOD, Chemical Engineering at AP University; Member Secretary (CPCB); Director of Csir-indian Institute of Chemical Technology.

The Committee is to be headed by former AP High Court judge B Seshasayana Reddy and is directed to inspect the sequence of events, the causes of failure and persons and authorities responsible for the Styrene gas leak, the extent of damage to life, public health, environment (including water, soil and air), steps to be taken for the compensation of victims and restitution of damaged property and environment and the cost involved along with remedial measures to prevent such gas leak and any other incidental or allied issues.

The NGT has directed that the committee prepare and submit its preliminary findings to the Tribunal within the next date of hearing on May 18.