Press Statement
Massive Citizens March Against Asbestos Plants in Bihar
Memorandum Demanding Change in Asbestos Industry Submitted to CM
Delegation Demanding Ban on Killer Meets Bihar Industry Minister
Patna/New Delhi 10 February: Inhalation of asbestos fibres has been shown to lead to a number of serious health risks, including asbestosis and the cancer mesothelioma which are preventable but incurable. Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI) supports the Citizens March against asbestos plants in Bihar and the struggle of Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee against the proposed plant in Chainpur-Bishunpur, Marwan, Muzaffarpur. This movement of the Committee is unprecedented.
On 10th February a massive rally in Patna culminated in Citizens Forum Against Asbestos submitting a memorandum seeking cancellation of industrial license given to the proposed asbestos based factory in Chainpur-Bishunpur, Marwan, Muzaffarpur and other places where such plants are proposed. The official who met the delegation Mr Shamim Ahmed, Deputy Secretary, Bihar Government asked the delegation to meet the Bihar Health Minister to apprise him of the potential health hazards from the killer fibers of asbestos.
Earlier, on 9th February a delegation of Citizens Forum Against Asbestos met Dr Renu Kumari, Bihar’s Industry & Disaster Management Minister and briefed her about the hazards from asbestos. She has promised to visit the factory site within a week. The delegation also met Dr Jaganath Mishra, former Chief Minister. BANI was part of these delegations.
A Fact Finding visit to Chainpur-Bishunpur, Marwan, Muzaffarpur on 9th February took the testimonies of the women victims of police repression. These women were protesting against the asbestos plant in their village. The team comprised of BANI, a news Channel TV99 and noted journalist & author Pushpraj who were struck by the slogans of the children and adults celebrating Saraswati Puja. Instead of chanting religious slogans, they were shouting “Cancer Factory Band Karo” and “Balmukund Go Back” in front of the idol of the Goddess Sarswati. It appeared as if the Goddess is inspiring the villagers to protect themselves from the ticking time bomb called asbestos. The anger against the proposed hazardous plant by Balmukund Cement & Roofing Ltd is quite palpable. The villagers revealed that strange women from some public relations agency have been hired by the company to lure and seduce the villagers to change their views.
Asbestos becomes a hazard when microscopic fibre fragments become airborne and are inhaled which they always do. Due to their size and shape they can remain airborne for some time, and enter even the smallest air passages in the lungs where they embed in lung tissue. The fibres are highly resistant to removal by the lungs’ natural cleaning processes.
BANI demands Bihar government should not to succumb to pressure from the likes of Clément Godbout, president of the asbestos lobby group that includes the Chrysotile Institute, Chrysotile Asbestos Products Manufacturers and Asbestos Information Centre. The uninformed reaction of the Bihar chapter of Confederation of Indian Industry and Bihar Chambers of Commerce in support of killer asbestos industry is a classic case of blind profit mongering at any human cost.
Residents and policymakers in Bihar must examine places in the houses and buildings where can asbestos be found.
Asbestos fibers are incredibly strong and have properties that make them resistant to heat. Many products are in use today that contain asbestos. Most of these are materials used in heat and acoustic insulation, fire proofing, and roofing and flooring. Although banned in 55 countries because safe and controlled use of asbestos of all kinds is impossible, many of the asbestos based products are still be in use. These include asbestos-cement corrugated sheet, asbestos-cement flat sheet, asbestos-cement pipe, asbestos-cement shingle, roof coatings, flooring felt, pipeline wrap, roofing felt, asbestos clothing, non-roof coatings, vinyl/asbestos floor tile, automatic transmission components, clutch facings, disc brake pads, drum brake linings, brake blocks, commercial and industrial asbestos friction, products, sheet and beater-add gaskets, commercial, corrugated and specialty paper, millboard, roll board, water supply pipes, kitchen utensils etc.
Notably, Australia and the UK have the highest rates of asbestos-related death in the world because of past exposure compelling them to ban this killer fiber. Bihar should avoid such a path of industrialization. These deaths take place because of the misinformation campaign of the asbestos industry. Asbestos, now banned in the Europe, kills up to 4000 people a year in the UK alone. In India, there is no agency to collect the data of these ongoing deaths because none of our medical colleges diagnose asbestos related diseases.
It must be noted that ten thousand US citizens die each year -- a rate approaching 30 deaths per day -- from diseases caused by asbestos, according to a detailed analysis of government mortality records and epidemiological studies by US based Environmental Working Group. Asbestos kills thousands more people than skin cancer each year, and nearly the number that are slain in assaults with firearms. It has been revealed that the suite of diseases linked to asbestos exposure overwhelmingly affect older men.
The state government must announce a policy and a programme to ban future use of asbestos and decontaminate the existing places where it is found.
BANI demands that to begin with state government must make State legislature buildings, courts, schools and hospitals asbestos free.
For Details: Gopal Krishna, Convener, Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)/Asbestos Mukri Andolan, Mb: 09818089660, 07739308480, E-mail-krishna2777@gmail.com
Web: banasbestosindia.blogspot.com
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Nagrik March in Patna Against Asbestos Factories
Nagrik March in Patna in support of the movement to stop the construction of asbestos factory.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Why not Ban Asbestos in Bihar
Press Release
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar must come to Chainpur-Bishunpur for dialogue
Movement to continue till written orders for closure of asbestos plant is issued
Anti-people SEZ, rejected in Bihar, Why not Ban Asbestos in Bihar as well
Marwan, Muzaffarpur, 8th February, 2011: Bihar Chief Minister has been ignoring the peoples’ movement underway for the last six months in Muzaffarpur’s Chainpur-Bishunpur and is attempting to divert the Movement Against Asbestos which is getting national support. Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangarsh Committee expresses its disapproval for Chief Minister’s irresponsible statement saying that the state government has not given approval to it. This statement is misleading.
The Committee demands that the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), the State Pollution Control Board and the Union Environment Ministry should rescind its approval and environmental clearance given to the Balmukund Cement & Roofing Ltd. The Chief Minister has sent back SIPB’s proposal for asbestos factories, he has not cancelled the clearance of the killer plant as yet.
The Committee declares that until and unless the Chief Minister visits Chainpur-Bishunpur and issues a written order stopping the construction of the proposed white asbestos based factory, the agitation against Balmukund’s factory will continue. Nitish Kumar’s philosophical appeal to the national and international intellectuals to debate ban on asbestos in India is insincere because he has not announced reforms in his industrial policy that currently promotes killer factories.
Although Bihar Government’s text books of Biology and Chemistry taught in 10th and 12th class reveal that asbestos is cancer causing, the Chief Minister must reply as to why hazardous asbestos based plants should be established in Bihar for the profit of the capitalists.
It is noteworthy that Bihar Government banned anti-people and anti-agriculture Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state although it is being implemented in the whole country. If anti-farmer SEZ can be banned in the state, why should Nitish Kumar not ban asbestos which is prohibited in over 55 countries? In such a backdrop, the statement of Bihar State Council of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) is misplaced and unacceptable. While all the asbestos factories in the country must be phased out, the future use of asbestos must be eliminated to begin with, contrary to what CII irrationally contends. It has come to notice that some official of Bihar Industries Association has anonymously been spreading rumours in support of myopic and brutal industrialization.
The Committee suggests that instead of coming under the influence of the propaganda of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Manufacturers Association, it would be better for the Chief Minister to initiate a dialogue with villagers, doctors and environmentalists by giving priority to the public health on the basis of scientific facts.
It has been reported in the media that the Chief Minister respects the sentiments of the people. If he is indeed sensitive to people’s concerns then he should take action against those company officials and police persons who are responsible for firing and lathi charge on the peaceful dharna on 13th December, 2010, 9th January, 2011 and 22nd January 2011.
Even a government elected with majority of votes cannot make women victims of police repression, bullets and tear gas. Such action of a democratic-socialist government cannot be permitted. The Committee demands that Nitish Kumar should come to Chainpur-Bishunpur to establish a direct conversation with the injured women. You should come from Patna to Chainpur for a dialogue. In the aftermath of police repression and unilateral action against Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee conveners (Tarkeshwar Giri and Kumud Ram), personal intervention from Nitish Kumar is a necessary alternative.
Signatories: 1. Ram Chandra Rai, Convener, Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee
2. Ram Naresh Prasad Singh, former Mukhiya, Karja Dih Panchayat, Marwan Block
3. Najma Khatun, Mukhiya, Jian Khurd Panchayat, Marwan Block
4. Najmul Haq, Sah Adhyaksha, Mukhiya Sangh, Marwan & Mukhiya, Mahmadpur Sube, Marwan Block
5. Nira Devi, Member, Zila Parishad, Marwan Block
6. Umesh Mahto, Mukhiya, Rupwara Panchayat, Marwan Block
7. Sikandar Singh, former Headmaster, Bishunpur-Chainpur Middle School & Co-patron Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee
For Details: Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee, Vishunpur Chowk, Marwan, Muzaffarpur, Phone: 099121273, 06223-237590, E-mail: khetbachaomarwan@gmail.com
Gopal Krishna, Convener, Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)/Asbestos Mukti Andolan
Mb: 09818089660, 07739308480, E-mail:krishna2777@gmail.com
Blog:banasbestosindia.blogspot.com
Chief Minister Nitish Kumar must come to Chainpur-Bishunpur for dialogue
Movement to continue till written orders for closure of asbestos plant is issued
Anti-people SEZ, rejected in Bihar, Why not Ban Asbestos in Bihar as well
Marwan, Muzaffarpur, 8th February, 2011: Bihar Chief Minister has been ignoring the peoples’ movement underway for the last six months in Muzaffarpur’s Chainpur-Bishunpur and is attempting to divert the Movement Against Asbestos which is getting national support. Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangarsh Committee expresses its disapproval for Chief Minister’s irresponsible statement saying that the state government has not given approval to it. This statement is misleading.
The Committee demands that the State Investment Promotion Board (SIPB), the State Pollution Control Board and the Union Environment Ministry should rescind its approval and environmental clearance given to the Balmukund Cement & Roofing Ltd. The Chief Minister has sent back SIPB’s proposal for asbestos factories, he has not cancelled the clearance of the killer plant as yet.
The Committee declares that until and unless the Chief Minister visits Chainpur-Bishunpur and issues a written order stopping the construction of the proposed white asbestos based factory, the agitation against Balmukund’s factory will continue. Nitish Kumar’s philosophical appeal to the national and international intellectuals to debate ban on asbestos in India is insincere because he has not announced reforms in his industrial policy that currently promotes killer factories.
Although Bihar Government’s text books of Biology and Chemistry taught in 10th and 12th class reveal that asbestos is cancer causing, the Chief Minister must reply as to why hazardous asbestos based plants should be established in Bihar for the profit of the capitalists.
It is noteworthy that Bihar Government banned anti-people and anti-agriculture Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state although it is being implemented in the whole country. If anti-farmer SEZ can be banned in the state, why should Nitish Kumar not ban asbestos which is prohibited in over 55 countries? In such a backdrop, the statement of Bihar State Council of Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) is misplaced and unacceptable. While all the asbestos factories in the country must be phased out, the future use of asbestos must be eliminated to begin with, contrary to what CII irrationally contends. It has come to notice that some official of Bihar Industries Association has anonymously been spreading rumours in support of myopic and brutal industrialization.
The Committee suggests that instead of coming under the influence of the propaganda of Chrysotile Asbestos Cement Manufacturers Association, it would be better for the Chief Minister to initiate a dialogue with villagers, doctors and environmentalists by giving priority to the public health on the basis of scientific facts.
It has been reported in the media that the Chief Minister respects the sentiments of the people. If he is indeed sensitive to people’s concerns then he should take action against those company officials and police persons who are responsible for firing and lathi charge on the peaceful dharna on 13th December, 2010, 9th January, 2011 and 22nd January 2011.
Even a government elected with majority of votes cannot make women victims of police repression, bullets and tear gas. Such action of a democratic-socialist government cannot be permitted. The Committee demands that Nitish Kumar should come to Chainpur-Bishunpur to establish a direct conversation with the injured women. You should come from Patna to Chainpur for a dialogue. In the aftermath of police repression and unilateral action against Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee conveners (Tarkeshwar Giri and Kumud Ram), personal intervention from Nitish Kumar is a necessary alternative.
Signatories: 1. Ram Chandra Rai, Convener, Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee
2. Ram Naresh Prasad Singh, former Mukhiya, Karja Dih Panchayat, Marwan Block
3. Najma Khatun, Mukhiya, Jian Khurd Panchayat, Marwan Block
4. Najmul Haq, Sah Adhyaksha, Mukhiya Sangh, Marwan & Mukhiya, Mahmadpur Sube, Marwan Block
5. Nira Devi, Member, Zila Parishad, Marwan Block
6. Umesh Mahto, Mukhiya, Rupwara Panchayat, Marwan Block
7. Sikandar Singh, former Headmaster, Bishunpur-Chainpur Middle School & Co-patron Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee
For Details: Khet Bachao Jeevan Bachao Jansangharsh Committee, Vishunpur Chowk, Marwan, Muzaffarpur, Phone: 099121273, 06223-237590, E-mail: khetbachaomarwan@gmail.com
Gopal Krishna, Convener, Ban Asbestos Network of India (BANI)/Asbestos Mukti Andolan
Mb: 09818089660, 07739308480, E-mail:krishna2777@gmail.com
Blog:banasbestosindia.blogspot.com
Monday, February 7, 2011
Muzaffarpur plant stir stokes ban-asbestos debate
NEW DELHI: Ongoing public protests in Muzaffarpur over an upcoming asbestos plant have forced the district administration to impose Section 144 near the facility, forcing stoppage of work and preventing protestors from gathering near the site.
The use of asbestos, which is known to cause lung cancer and silicosis, is banned in many countries around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Argentina, South Africa and Switzerland.
In India, though mining of asbestos is banned, units are allowed to manufacture asbestos products.
Muzaffarpur district magistrate Anand Kishore told TOI, "Section 144 has been imposed near the site of the asbestos plant. I have no information whether the project would be shelved for good."
Bihar is planning to open several asbestos plants in Bhojpur, West Champaran, Bettiah and Vaishali.
Bihar deputy chief minister and environment minister Sushil Kumar Modi refused to comment on the controversy. Government sources passed the buck to the Centre, saying the latter gave all the clearances to the firms.
In Muzaffarpur, a number of political parties -- such as CPI, CPI(M), SUCI --have urged the state government to permanently halt work the plant in public interest. They are also demanding for release of the protesters.
Sources in directorate general of mining safety say the ban on mining owing to health hazards doesn't make sense. Their arguement: During mining "about 2-3 inches of a 72-inch pit has asbestos, whereas there is 100% of it in a factory."
Director general of mining safety, Satish Puri, refused to be drawn into a controversy. "I cannot comment on policies. I can only talk about issues of mining safety. Asbestos is known to cause silicosis."
Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Jawaharlal Darda, who has been lobbying for a ban on asbestos, said India is a big asbestos market for countries like Australia and South Africa, which have banned its use but continue to mine it.
"Research has proved that it causes cancer. I'm aware of a lot of new units being set up in Bihar, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. I was undera lot of pressure to withdraw my Bill on asbestos ban. It got lapsed after my tenure got over. I want to re-introduce it, and have written to Rajya Sabha secretriat."
Abantika Ghosh, TNN, Feb 5, 2011
Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muzaffarpur-plant-stir-stokes-ban-asbestos-debate/articleshow/7427363.cms#ixzz1DIx6hXxi
The use of asbestos, which is known to cause lung cancer and silicosis, is banned in many countries around the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Egypt, Argentina, South Africa and Switzerland.
In India, though mining of asbestos is banned, units are allowed to manufacture asbestos products.
Muzaffarpur district magistrate Anand Kishore told TOI, "Section 144 has been imposed near the site of the asbestos plant. I have no information whether the project would be shelved for good."
Bihar is planning to open several asbestos plants in Bhojpur, West Champaran, Bettiah and Vaishali.
Bihar deputy chief minister and environment minister Sushil Kumar Modi refused to comment on the controversy. Government sources passed the buck to the Centre, saying the latter gave all the clearances to the firms.
In Muzaffarpur, a number of political parties -- such as CPI, CPI(M), SUCI --have urged the state government to permanently halt work the plant in public interest. They are also demanding for release of the protesters.
Sources in directorate general of mining safety say the ban on mining owing to health hazards doesn't make sense. Their arguement: During mining "about 2-3 inches of a 72-inch pit has asbestos, whereas there is 100% of it in a factory."
Director general of mining safety, Satish Puri, refused to be drawn into a controversy. "I cannot comment on policies. I can only talk about issues of mining safety. Asbestos is known to cause silicosis."
Rajya Sabha MP Vijay Jawaharlal Darda, who has been lobbying for a ban on asbestos, said India is a big asbestos market for countries like Australia and South Africa, which have banned its use but continue to mine it.
"Research has proved that it causes cancer. I'm aware of a lot of new units being set up in Bihar, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh. I was undera lot of pressure to withdraw my Bill on asbestos ban. It got lapsed after my tenure got over. I want to re-introduce it, and have written to Rajya Sabha secretriat."
Abantika Ghosh, TNN, Feb 5, 2011
Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Muzaffarpur-plant-stir-stokes-ban-asbestos-debate/articleshow/7427363.cms#ixzz1DIx6hXxi
Bihar Govt' Rejects Asbestos
Patna, Feb 7 (PTI) Bihar Chief Minister, Nitish Kumartoday said though there was no no ban on application andproduction of asbestos in the country, he had returned theproposal sent to him by the State Industrial Promotion Board(SIPB) in Muzaffarpur district respecting the people''ssentiments.
"I have reurned the proposal sent by the SIPB to mefor setting up an asbestos plant at Chairnpur-Bishunpur inMuzaffarpur district respecting the sentiments and feelings ofthe people," Kumar said while replying to query about theongoing protests by locals against the decision to set up the factory.
Kumar, however, said the environment ministry had,however, cleared the proposal for setting up the proposedplant.
"But, if such a factory of asbestos can harm thepeople''s health, I will appeal to the world community toinitiate a debate on the issue and in the event of itsnecessity, a ban be imposed," he said. PTI AJK PR
PR02071914
http://news.oneindia.in/2011/02/07/nitishrejects-asbestosplant-aid0126.html
The Times of India reports:
Regarding the proposed asbestos manufacturing unit in Muzaffarpur and agitation against it, the CM said that the proposal was brought before the State Investment Promotion Board. "I have not passed it," he added.
However, Nitish wondered if asbestos is harmful then why is it manufactured by the units and used by the people. "I appeal to everybody, the civil society and the agitators to look into this issue at national level and not only in terms of Muzaffarpur," he said.
Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/RTE-provisions-will-be-implemented-CM/articleshow/7447774.cms#ixzz1DIvI3TUp
"I have reurned the proposal sent by the SIPB to mefor setting up an asbestos plant at Chairnpur-Bishunpur inMuzaffarpur district respecting the sentiments and feelings ofthe people," Kumar said while replying to query about theongoing protests by locals against the decision to set up the factory.
Kumar, however, said the environment ministry had,however, cleared the proposal for setting up the proposedplant.
"But, if such a factory of asbestos can harm thepeople''s health, I will appeal to the world community toinitiate a debate on the issue and in the event of itsnecessity, a ban be imposed," he said. PTI AJK PR
PR02071914
http://news.oneindia.in/2011/02/07/nitishrejects-asbestosplant-aid0126.html
The Times of India reports:
Regarding the proposed asbestos manufacturing unit in Muzaffarpur and agitation against it, the CM said that the proposal was brought before the State Investment Promotion Board. "I have not passed it," he added.
However, Nitish wondered if asbestos is harmful then why is it manufactured by the units and used by the people. "I appeal to everybody, the civil society and the agitators to look into this issue at national level and not only in terms of Muzaffarpur," he said.
Read more: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/patna/RTE-provisions-will-be-implemented-CM/articleshow/7447774.cms#ixzz1DIvI3TUp
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