But that’s only one facet. Within hours of the leak it was clear that this was a huge tragedy. Within days, it was clear that a large amount of funds would come in. The first task of the government should have been to set up a large health care and relief system, without even waiting for UC’s money to come in. But we did not do so. A few clinics were set up, the number of hospital rooms were increased, some interim relief was provided, but nothing on the scale required. While the people were suffering and dying, our government was busy shouting about the horrible MNC and how it needed to pay. It may have been correct in its outburst, but it was also less than honest in its concern for the gas-affected.

The money finally came in 1989. Now we come across the most obvious consequence of governmental inaction. The government has no idea what to do with the millions of dollars. The judiciary kept telling the government to use it, but the government was unable to do so. It does not have the machinery in place to either provide quality health care to the affected, nor does it have the administrative wherewithal to properly identify the ‘truly’ affected. In the process large numbers continue to suffer.

When such state failure is observed, it’s natural for NGOs, fringe groups and well-meaning individuals to take matters into their hands. But here what is most curious is that those who are responsible for the mess — UC’s senior management, Centre, state, local governments, even the judiciary — are not being targeted. Instead those who came in much later and had no role to play in this tragedy are being targeted.

... contd.