Bhopal gas disaster: GoM panel meets for second day

Meeting for the second day in a row, the Group of Ministers (GoM) on Bhopal gas tragedy today discussed legal options available in the aftermath of the trial court judgement and reached “some tentative conclusions“.

“We discussed all pending legal issues and legal options available to the government after the judgement of trial court,” said Home Minister P. Chidambaram, who heads to the reconstituted GoM, after its meeting here.

“We heard all concerned and reached some tentative conclusions,” he told reporters but did not give details.

He said “these conclusions” will be firmed up in the report to be submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday.

The nine-member GoM was reconstituted on June 7 amid raging controversy over the quantum of punishment given to those accused in the case, with the political class in unison terming it as “too little, too late“.

It began its meeting on Friday.

Among various issues, the GoM is considering increase in compensation for those affected by the 1984 disaster.

The Planning Commission has already approved a package of Rs 982 crore for the gas disaster victims.

Chidambaram said the GoM, at the next meeting this evening, will discuss issues relating to health and how to bring healthcare to people who have suffered and “perhaps continue to suffer“.

Issues related to drinking water will also be discussed.

The Prime Minister has directed the GoM to expedite its work and asked it on June 14 to submit report within 10 days.