The scheme, Bongirwar said, would promote the vital chemical industry in Maharasthra and at the same time, would ensure safety of industrial workers as well as citizens residing in areas surrounding any major chemical plant.

Bongirwar was addressing a gathering of officials of Union Ministry of Environment and Forest, State Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, the Confederation of Indian Industries, senior police, fire brigade and civil defence officials as well as senior functionaries from about 100 hazardous chemical factories operational in Maharasthra. The delegates also participated in a day-long workshop on Industrial Safety and Chemical Emergency Preparedness jointly organised by the Union and State Government at Sahyadri, the Government guest house at MalabarHill.

Speaking as the chief guest, Bongirwar further said, ``The State Government has implemented the disaster management scheme for all 335 hazardous chemical plants operational in different parts of Maharastra. The Government is keen on maintaining a fine control over pollution, care for the environment and avoid serious disasters. The State will ensure safe growth of the important chemical industry. These industrialists should cooperate with the State and respond to various safety norms being enforced here. It is a mutual relationship between the two, with the thrust on safety.''

Special secretary to Union Environment and Forest Ministry, Vinod Vaish, praised the State for its standing so far as industrial set-up and infrastructure is concerned. ``Maharashtra is an industrially developed State which also adheres to strict safety and environment norms. The Union Government is implementing various schemes for Maharashtra with a special thrust on chemical industries for the very reason,'' saidVaish.

Principal Secretary of the State Labour Department responsible for industrial safety, Rajendra Singh, maintained that the Government and industrialists should work in unison to ensure welfare of industrial workers and protection of industries. Others present on the occasion were Joint Secretary to Union Environment and Forest Ministry, V Rajgopalan, A N Jha of the CII, various industrial experts and senior officials.