The National Green Tribunal (NGT), in an order dated January 18, directed Brandix India Apparel City to pay a compensation of Rs 10 crore to the victims of the gas leak. The NGT order said 539 workers have been identified in the report as having been hospitalized due to the gas leak and they are entitled to compensation of ₹1 lakh each.
The order also specified that the amount may be deposited with the State Pollution Control Board (PCB) within two months, failing which coercive measures including closure would be taken by the State PCB. Out of the said amount, Rs 5 crore may be remitted by the State PCB to the Andhra Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, preferably within three months, for disbursement of compensation to the victims. If there is a deficit, the State PCB can make up for it and if it is a surplus, the Authority can return it to the State PCB for restoration measures. The NGT has also asked the AP State Legal Services Authority to prepare an action plan for identification and payment of victims. The order also states that the remaining amount can be spent by the state PCB for environmental improvement in the area by preparing an action plan with the approval of the CPCB. The plan may be prepared within one month and considered by the CPCB within another month.
According to the State PCB report, this incident happened in M/s Seeds Intimate Apparel India Pvt. Ltd. in the premises of M/s Brandix India Apparel City, Achuthapuram, Anakapalle. There were two incidents of gas leakage at the unit, one on June 3, 2022 and the other on August 2, 2022, affecting a total of 539.
remedial measures
Suggesting remedial measures, the NGT suggested that the unit should have a proper ventilation system as per the guidelines of the Industries and Factories Act. Any pest/pesticide control fumigation should be carried out when no workers are present at the work site. On application of insecticide/pesticide, proper time has to be given for dilution and no worker should be affected. Pest/insecticide control fumigation should be done under the guidance of a qualified/trained person, who is aware of the proper proportion, mix rate of application etc. Access to the air handling unit should be restricted to maintenance personnel only and not to any other person. be allowed in the area. The NGT also specified that the unit should provide proper and periodic mock drill training to all workers so that they can safeguard their health.
brandix clarifies
The NGT had constituted a joint committee of nine members, including three experts, to ascertain the cause of the incidents. The committee conducted a thorough preliminary review, during which SEEDS cooperated fully, providing all available information including CCTV footage of the area where the incidents took place, the company said in a statement.
According to Doraswamy, India partner, Brandix India Apparel City, a report was submitted by the committee to the NGT and it was inconclusive about the source of the leak and the entity responsible.
The Committee unanimously recorded that a separate and in-depth study of all the industrial activities of all the factories located within one kilometer radius from SEEDS needs to be done to understand and assess the possible scenarios that led to these incidents and asked for four. months to study.
The order passed by the NGT on January 18 held Seeds accountable for the incident saying there was no need to analyze the scientific evidence as deemed necessary by the expert committee. He added that SEEDS is currently taking legal advice on the course of action to be taken to appeal against the order.