88 workers died in industrial mishaps in 2yrs: Min

Bhubaneswar: At least 88 labourers working in different big industries in Odisha died in accidents in the last two years, state assembly was told on Tuesday.

"While 56 labourers died due to accidents in big industries during 2011-12, 32 met a similar fate during 2012-13 (upto August, 12)," Labour and Employment minister Bijayshree Routray said while replying to a question.

The minister said he would ask the officials to visit different industries and ensure that adequate safety measures were taken before operation of plants.

The issue was raised during question hour when the members cutting across partylines expressed concern over the high rate of accidents in industrial units in the state.

Expressing concern over the matter, BJD MLA Prafulla Mallik claimed mishaps at frequent intervals in Bhushan Steel plant in Dhenkanal alone claimed 15 lives in the past two years.

He urged the government to record complete information of the labourers and workers of all the industrial units of state so that compensation could be provided to the family members in case of any mishap.

BJD MLA Amar Prasad Satapathy claimed that while 122 accidents took place in different industries in 2011-12, 69 mishaps ocurred during 2012-13. He blamed it on manpower shortage in different industrial units.