BHOPAL: Opposition leaders charged Friday that the $470 million Bhopal gas disaster settlement between Union Carbide Corp. and the government was arranged through “underhanded dealing” involving the payment of kickbacks to unidentified politicians.
Union Carbide dented the accusations of payoffs. “There is no truth whatsoever to those charges,” said spokesman Earl Slack at corporate headquarters in Danbury. Conn. He declined further comment.
No comments on the claims were immediately available from the Indian government.
Demonstrations Planned
The allegations came as demonstrations were called for Feb 18 and Feb. 27 to protest the Supreme Court mediated agreement ‘on compensation for victims of the Dee. 3. 1984. leak of lethal fumes from Union Carbide’s nowdefunet pesticide plant in Bhopal.
Under the accord, the US. Multinational and its Indian subsidiary agreed to pay $465 million by March 23 in return for a court ‘order quashing all civil and criminal liability suits arising from the world’s worst industrial disaster.
The remaining $5 million was adjusted against a similar amount paid by the firm to the Indian Red Cross in 1985 for relief programs.
3,000 Dead
More than 3.000 people have died since deadly vapors from an underground tank at the Union Carbide Plant and covered large areas of Bhopal, the capital of
Madhya Pradesh state, 375 miles south of New Delhi.
Some 200.000 other people were injured and government officials say at least one person on average died every day from the effects of the vapors.
Govt sought $3 billion
The government had sought $3 billion in damages from Union Carbide, which it accused in a September 1986 civil liability suit of being responsible for the disaster ‘on a number of grounds. Including an alleged failure to install adequate safety systems.
Union Carbide contended that sabotage by a disgruntled employee caused the leak numerous survivors and officials of victims relief organizations have condemned the $470 million settlement as being inadequate.
Raghu Thakur, the need of the Madhya Pradesh chapter of the opposition Janata Dal party charged that the settlement involved secret payments to unnamed politicians by Union Carbide
Presiding Judge Promoted
“There is an underhanded dealing between the UCC and the politicians.” Thakur told a news conference at which he also announced that copies of the settlement would be burned at “Betrayal Day” rallies on Feb. 27 sponsored by his party a leading element of an Opposition coalition seeking to oust Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in general elections this year as part of the arrangement. Thakur alleged that Supreme Court Justice R.S. Pathak who headed the five man bench that approved the settlement was nominated this week by the government to the International Court of Justice.
Speaking separately, Sunderlal Patwa. the head of the state branch of the rightwing Bharatya Janata Party. Also charged that the settlement involved the payment by Union Carbide of tens of millions of rupees to unidentified politicians,
“There was an underhanded dealing involving several crores of rupees.” he alleged. One crore is the equivalent of 10 million.
Neither opposition leader elaborated on their charges.
During his news conference, Thakur criticized the Supreme Court for accepting the settlement.
Prestige of S. Court Lowered
“The Judges have lowered the prestige of the highest court by giving approval to the settlement. Which is against the interest of thousands of gas victims,” said Thakur.
“It is unfortunate that the highest court of the land has been misused to give credibility to the settlement,” he said.
In addition to quashing the civil suit against the company, the Supreme Court also overturned “culpable homicide” charges brought by the government against the firm, its Indian and Hong Kong subsidiaries, eight Indian employees and its former chairman Warren Anderson.
About 1,000 women who survived the disaster were scheduled to demonstrate in Bhopal against the accord on Saturday.
Following is a chronology of the key events after the tragedy Bhopal Tragedy: The Key Events
Dec. 3, 1984 Methyl isocyanate gas leaks from pesticides plant of Union Carbide India Ltd in Bhopal, India. Final death toll is estimated at more than 3,500.
Dec. 7 Warren Anderson, chairman of Union Carbide and Keshub Mahindra, chairman of Union Carbide India are arrested on charges of negligence and corporate liability. Mr. Anderson is released after a few hours on personal bail bond of about $3,000.
April 9, 1985 The Indian Government files suit against Union Carbide in Federal Court in New York seeking unspecified damages.
April 16 Federal District Judge John Keenan in New York orders Union Carbide to make an emergency payment of $5 million for immediate relief to disaster victims.
April 2, 1986 The Indian Parliament passes legislation making it the sole representative of all victims of the gas leak.
May 12 Judge Keenan transfers the case against Union Carbide to India.
Nov. 22 The Indian government files suit for damages worth $3.12 billion against Union Carbide in Bhopal district court of Judge G.S. Patel who later is removed when he is discovered to be one of more than 500,000 claimants for compensation.
Jan 17, 1988 Bhopal District Judge M.W. Deo the fourth judge hearing the case, orders Union Carbide to pay interim relief of $270 million. Union Carbide challenges the order.
April 4 High court Judge S. K Seth reduces volume of interim relief ordering Union Carbide to pay $190 million. Nov 15 Bhopal district court issues. Arrest warrants for Mr. Anderson. On homicide charges after he fails to respond to summonses issued in, the case.
February 1989 the court declares Mr. Anderson tried to escape the law.
Feb. 14 1989 Supreme Court orders full and final settlement of $470 million. India and Union Carbide agree, and all related cases are ordered closed, including criminal charges against Mr. Anderson.
Article extracted from this publication >> February 24, 1989
