Bhopal gas tragedy: SC dismisses Centre's plea for additional funds from UCC's successor firms
New Delhi (PTI): The Supreme Court on Tuesday dismissed the Centre's curative plea seeking an additional Rs 7,844 crore from the Union Carbide Corporation's (UCC) successor firms to extend higher compensation to the victims of the 1984 Bhopal gas tragedy that killed over 3,000 people and caused environmental damage.
A five-judge constitution bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul said there was no rationale by the Centre to rake up the issue two decades after the settlement.
The top court said that a sum of Rs 50 crore lying with the RBI for the victims shall be utilised by the Union of India to satisfy pending claims of victims.
"We are unsatisfied with the Union of India for not furnishing any rationale for raking up this issue after two decades...We are of the view that curative petitions cannot be entertained," the bench said.
The bench also comprising Justices Sanjiv Khanna, Abhay S Oka, Vikram Nath and J K Maheshwar had on January 12 reserved its verdict on the Centre's curative plea.
The Centre wanted another Rs 7,844 crore from the UCC's successor firms over and above the USD 470 million (Rs 715 crore) it got from the American company as part of the settlement in 1989.
A curative petition is the last resort for a plaintiff after an adverse judgement has been delivered and the plea for its review is rejected. The Centre had not filed a review petition for rescinding the settlement which it now wants to be enhanced.
The UCC, now owned by Dow Chemicals, gave a compensation of Rs USD 470 million in 1989 after the toxic methyl isocyanate gas leak from the Union Carbide factory on the intervening night of December 2 and 3, 1984 killed over 3,000 people and affected 1.02 lakh more.
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Kangana Ranaut withdraws remark calling for bringing back farm laws
Shimla (PTI): BJP MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday withdrew her remarks calling for bringing back the three farm laws that were repealed in 2021, and said those were her personal opinion and not the party's.
She said she might have disappointed many with her statement on the contentious laws which she regretted.
The Himachal Pradesh BJP has also distanced itself from the Mandi MP's statement.
In a post on X, Ranaut wrote, "My views on Farmers Laws are personal and they don't represent the party's stand on those Bills."
She also posted a video statement on X in which she said, "When farmers' laws were proposed, several of us had supported them. But with great sensitivity and sympathy, our respected prime minister had withdrawn those laws."
"I regret if I left anybody disappointed with my words and opinions. I take my words back," she said in the clip.
Speaking at an event in Mandi district on Tuesday, the actor-politician said the three farm laws faced protests only in some states.
"Farmers are a pillar of strength in India's progress. Only in some states, they had objected to farm laws. I appeal with folded hands that farm laws should be brought back in the interest of farmers," she had said.
She said the country is on the path of progress and restoring the farm laws would ensure better financial stability and growth for farmers, ultimately benefiting the agricultural sector.
The Congress alleged that the remarks are an indication that the ruling party was making efforts to bring back the three laws and asserted that Haryana will give a befitting reply to it.
Ranaut's remark came at a time when political parties are preparing for the assembly polls in Haryana slated on October 5. Haryana had witnessed major protest by farmers, especially at Delhi borders, demanding that the three laws be repealed.
The laws were eventually withdrawn by the Modi government in 2021.
Do listen to this, I stand with my party regarding Farmers Law. Jai Hind 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/wMcc88nlK2
— Kangana Ranaut (@KanganaTeam) September 25, 2024
