Echoing the GNSH point, Sunil Chaturvedi, the Hoogly District Magistrate, felt ``this proved that there are ways to check such erring industrial installations handling hazardous and toxic chemicals from adopting a careless attitude towards the environment and the people living nearby.'' The district administration, which investigated the 17 cases of complaints, ranging from the physical indisposition, destruction of crops and damages to the cattle, under the direction of the Green Bench of the Calcutta High Court, has finally decided to award 14victims.

The company, M/S Kesoram Rayon and their insurers, the National Insurance Company Limited, have been given 30 days time to deposit an amount of Rs 45,386 with the Hoogly administration. The amount will be disbursed among the victims.

The leakage of gaseous pollutants containing carbon disulphide, hydrogen sulphide and sulphuric dioxide by the Kesorom Rayon factory at Nayasarai in the district on 30 June and then again on 14 and 15 July 1997 `caused widespread damages to crops, cattle and human health.'

On 4th July 1997 the Ganatantrik Nagarik Samity, Howrah (GNSH) filed a writ petition in the Green Bench of the Calcutta High Court on behalf of the affected people and on 19 December 1997, the Green Bench in its ruling directed the Hoogly District Magistrate to investigate the cases and decide on the reward of relief for the victims under the provision in the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.

Recalling his experience while he conducted investigations into the 17 cases, Sunil Chaturvedisaid: ``The most difficult task in getting the relief for the affected was their ignorance about their rights and laws and lack of sensitivity on the part of the people who caused such suffering.''

Explaining his point, he told The Indian Express that ``because of lack of awareness among the people which later resulted in critical information gap and lack of evidence, perhaps some of the deserving cases had to be dropped.''

The district administration, which has asked the factories handling hazardous and toxic chemicals in the district to formulate an off-site and on-site crisis management plan within two months, is planning a massive campaign to increase the level of awareness among the people.