Another worker dead; storm in Assembly over Bhushan Steel fire

BHUBANESWAR: With another worker injured in the November 13 fire accident at Bhushan Steel Limited's (BSL) factory at Meramundali in Dhenkanal district succumbing today, Odisha Assembly witnessed pandemonium over frequent industrial accidents in the state.

With death of Durga Prasad Hansda, a native of Mayurbhanj district, the total number of people killed in the fire incident rose to three while 28 others received burn injuries, police said.

While Saroj Dehury had died on November 20, police were yet to ascertain identity of the third person who died on the spot on November 13.

The second day of the winter session of the assembly witnessed opposition Congress members demonstrating in the Well with placards mentioning BSL fire accidents and accusing Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of shielding the BSL authorities.

Demanding a CBI probe into the incident, Leader of the Opposition Bhupinder Singh of Congress said state government officials and local police were working hand in glove with Bhushan authorities.

"Why the government is not taking any stern action against the company even if the probe panel from Rourkela steel plant confirmed that the accident occurred due to lack of safety measures at the furnace," Singh asked.

Earlier, Speaker Pradip Kumar Amat admitted a notice by the opposition for a discussion on admissibility of an adjournment motion on the issue. However, the matter could not be debated due to frequent adjournments.