ಕಾಸರಗೋಡು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಹೋರಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ಜಯ: ಮಂಜೇಶ್ವರಕ್ಕೆ 'ಭಾಷಾ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಸ್ಥಾನಮಾನ' ನೀಡಿದ ಕೇರಳ ಸರ್ಕಾರ

ಕೇರಳ ಗಡಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ಕಾಸರಗೋಡಿನ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಪಾಲಿಗಿದು ದೊಡ್ದ ಜಯವೇ ಸರಿ! ಕಾಸರಗೋಡು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ಮಂಜೇಶ್ವರ ತಾಲೂಕು ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯ ಪ್ರದೇಶವನ್ನು " ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆಯ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಪ್ರದೇಶ" ಎಂಬುದಾಗಿ ಕೇರಳ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಘೋಷಣೆ ಮಾಡಿದೆ.

ಕಾಸರಗೋಡು: ಕೇರಳ ಗಡಿ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ಕಾಸರಗೋಡಿನ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರ ಪಾಲಿಗಿದು ದೊಡ್ದ ಜಯವೇ ಸರಿ! ಕಾಸರಗೋಡು ಜಿಲ್ಲೆ ಮಂಜೇಶ್ವರ ತಾಲೂಕು ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯ ಪ್ರದೇಶವನ್ನು " ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆಯ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಪ್ರದೇಶ " ಎಂಬುದಾಗಿ ಕೇರಳ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಘೋಷಣೆ ಮಾಡಿದೆ. ಈ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಮಂಜೇಶ್ವರ ತಾಲ್ಲೂಕಿಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆಯ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಪ್ರದೇಶ ಸ್ಥಾನಮಾನವನ್ನು ನೀಡಿ ಕೇರಳ ಸರ್ಕಾರ ಆದೇಶ ಹೊರಡಿಸಿದೆ.

ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷೆಯ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಪ್ರದೇಶವಾದ ಕಾಸರಗೋಡವನ್ನು ವಿಭಜಿಸುವ ಮೂಲಕ ಮಂಜೇಶ್ವರನನ್ನು ಪ್ರತ್ಯೇಕ ತಾಲೂಕಾಗಿ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿತ್ತಾದರೂ ಆ ವೇಳೆ  ಭಾಷಾ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಸ್ಥಾನಮಾನವನ್ನು ಮಂಜೇಶ್ವರಕ್ಕೆ ನೀಡಲಾಗಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ. ಇದರಿಂದಾಗಿ ಅಲ್ಲಿನ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಕೆಲ ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳಿಂದ ವಂಚಿತರಾಗಿದ್ದರು. ಇದನ್ನು ಗಮನದಲ್ಲಿಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ಪ್ರದೇಶ  ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಸಮಿತಿಯ ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ ಮತ್ತು ವಕೀಲ ಕೆ ಎಂ ಬಳ್ಳಕುರಾಯ2014 ರಲ್ಲಿಯೇ ಮಂಜೇಶ್ವರ ತಾಲ್ಲೂಕಿಗೆ ಈ ಸ್ಥಾನಮಾನ ನೀಡುವ ಕುರಿತು ಹೋರಾಟಕ್ಕೆ ಮುಂದಾಗಿದ್ದರು.  ಈ ಬೇಡಿಕೆಯನ್ನು ಜಿಲ್ಲಾಧಿಕಾರಿ ಮತ್ತು ರಾಜ್ಯ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತರ ಸಮಿತಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸಕ್ರಿಯವಾಗಿ ಚರ್ಚಿಸಲಾಗಿ ಇದರ ಸಂಬಂಧ ಪ್ರತಿಭಟನೆ, ಮುಷ್ಕರಗಳು ಸಹ ನಡೆದಿದ್ದವು. 

ಇಷ್ಟೇ ಅಲ್ಲದೆ . ಒಂದು ನಿಯೋಗವು ತಿರುವನಂತಪುರಂಗೆ ಭೇಟಿ ನೀಡಿ ಮಂಜೇಶ್ವರವನ್ನು ಭಾಷಾ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಪ್ರದೇಶವೆಂದು ಘೋಷಿಸುವ ಅಗತ್ಯತೆಯ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳಿಗೆ ಮನವರಿಕೆ ಮಾಡಿಕೊಟ್ಟಿತು. ಇದಾಗಿ ಕಳೆದ ಆರು ತಿಂಗಳಿನಿಂದ  ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿ ಕಚೇರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾಕಿ ಉಳಿದಿದ್ದ ಈ ವಿಷಯಕ್ಕೆ ಸಂಬಂಧಿಸಿದ ದಾಖಲೆಗಳಿದ್ದ ಕಡತವು ಇದೀಗ ಮುಖ್ಯಮಂತ್ರಿಯವರ ಸಹಿಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಮರಳಿದೆ. ಮಂಜೇಶ್ವರ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಇನ್ನು ಮುಂದೆ ಕೇರಳದ ಕನ್ನಡ ಭಾಷಾ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಮತ್ತು ಕರ್ನಾಟಕದ ಗದಿನಾಡ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯಲಿದ್ದಾರೆ. 

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ಯಾವುದೇ ಬಹುಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಮಲಯಾಳಿ ಜನರು ಈ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯವನ್ನು ಪಡೆಯಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯವಾಗದ ರೀಇ ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ಜಾಗರೂಕರಾಗಿರಬೇಕಿದೆ. ಐದೇ ಉದ್ದೇಶದಿಂದ ಪ್ರಯತ್ನ ನಡೆಸಬೇಕು.ಈಗಾಗಲೇ ಸ್ಥಳೀಯರು ಕಾಸರ್‌ಗೋಡು ಡ್ ಜಿಲ್ಲೆಯ ಭಾಷಾ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತರು ತಮಗೆ ಸಾಕಷ್ಟು ಅನುಕೂಲ ಸಿಕ್ಕದಿರುವ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಆರೋಪಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.ಇಲ್ಲಿನ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಂದು ಸರ್ಕಾರಿ ಕಚೇರಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಕನ್ನಡ-ತಿಳಿದಿರುವ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ ಇರಬೇಕು ಎಂಬ ನಿಯಮವಿದ್ದರೂ, ಮಲಯಾಳಿ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿಗಳು ಇದನ್ನು ವಿರೋಧಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಭಾಷಾ ಅಲ್ಪಸಂಖ್ಯಾತ ಪ್ರದೇಶದ ಪ್ರೌ ಢ ಶಾಲಾ ಮುಖ್ಯೋಪಾಧ್ಯಾಯರು, ಸಹಾಯಕ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ ಮತ್ತು ಜಿಲ್ಲಾ ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ ಅಧಿಕಾರಿ ಹುದ್ದೆಗಳನ್ನು ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರಿಗೆ ಮೀಸಲಿಡಲಾಗಿದೆ ಆದರೆ ಬಹುಸಂಖ್ಯಾತರಿರುವ  ಹಾಗೂ ಅವರು ಪ್ರತಿನಿಧಿಸುವ  ಸಂಘಗಳು ಈ ಸೌಲಭ್ಯಗಳನ್ನು ಕಸಿದುಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಪ್ರಯತ್ನಿಸುತ್ತಿವೆ. ಕನ್ನಡಿಗರು ತಮ್ಮ ಮಕ್ಕಳು ಕನ್ನಡ ಮಧ್ಯಮ ಶಾಲೆಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಅಧ್ಯಯನ ಮಾಡುವುದನ್ನು ಖಾತ್ರಿಪಡಿಸಿಕೊಳ್ಳುವ ಮೂಲಕ ತಮ್ಮ ಹಿತಾಸಕ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ಪೂರೈಸಿಕೊಳ್ಲಲು ಇದು ಅನುಕೂಲವಾಗಲಿದೆ. 

India Meteorological Department

India Meteorological Department

Prelims- Geography

1. The India Meteorological Department’s Regional Meteorological Centre has started including cities in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in its forecasts.

2. The IMD has started including Gilgit-Baltistan and Muzaffarabad, which are parts of PoK, under the Jammu and Kashmir meteorological sub-division.

3. India has maintained that the area under PoK belongs to India.

4. The inclusion of Muzaffarabad and Gilgit-Baltistan follows Pakistan’s Supreme Court order allowing elections in Gilgit-Baltistan.

Source: The Hindu

Luhman 16A

Prelims- Science & Technology

1. A group of international astrophysicists have identified cloud bands on the surface of Luhman 16A, one of a pair of binary brown dwarfs in the Vela constellation.

2. They have used an idea put forth by Indian astrophysicist Sujan Sengupta, that the light emitted by a cloudy brown dwarf, or reflected off an extrasolar planet, will be polarised.

3. A polarimetric technique could serve as a potential tool to probe the environment of these objects. The polarisation of brown dwarfs was also detected.

4. They have found the actual structure of the clouds — that they form bands over one of the pairs (Luhman 16A) of brown dwarfs.

5. Understanding the cloud system over a brown dwarf helps to understand the pressure, temperature and climate on the surface of the celestial body.

6. Luhman 16 is a binary star system and is the third closest system to the Sun after Alpha Centauri and Barnard’s star.

7. This pair of brown dwarfs referred to as Luhman 16A and Luhman 16B orbit each other, casting a dim light.

8. Brown dwarfs are also called failed stars as their masses are intermediate to the largest planets and the smallest main sequence stars.

9. With small masses, they are unable to sustain fusion of their hydrogen to produce energy. It is believed that some of the more massive brown dwarfs fuse deuterium or lithium and glow faintly.

10. The faintness of the glow proved to be providential in finding the cloud bands.

11. While Luhman 16A is found to have band-like clouds in its atmosphere, it is not in Luhman 16B.

Source: The Hindu

Sunderban Tigers

Prelims- Environment

1. The latest estimation of tiger numbers in the Indian Sundarbans indicates an increase in the population of Sunderban Tigers.

2. The Sunderbans delta, spread over India and Bangladesh, is the only mangrove forest in the world inhabited by tigers.

3. The Sundarban mangrove forest is spread over 2,585 sq. km and includes the Sundarban Tiger Reserve and the 24 Parganas (South) Division.

4. Sunderbans is a world heritage site as well as a Ramsar site.

5. Estimation of the number of tigers in the Sunderbans, has always been a challenge because of the difficult terrain that comprises dense mangrove forests, with creeks and rivulets, and floods twice a day during the high tides.

Source: The Hindu

Domestic Violence

Prelims-Miscellaneous

1. Emergency services have seen a sharp rise in domestic abuse calls under lockdowns imposed across the continent.

2. During lockdown,  women and children are most vulnerable to abuse.

3. Countries are reporting up to a 60% increase in emergency calls by women subjected to violence by their intimate partners .

4. Domestic violence often increases in times of crisis and is exacerbated due to restrictions and containment measures put in place to limit the spread of the new coronavirus.

5. The UN agency for sexual and reproductive health (UNFPA) has estimated that there would be 31 million more cases of domestic violence worldwide if lockdowns continue for another six months.

Indian Law

1. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005 was enacted to protect women from domestic violence.

2. The Act provides for the first time in Indian law a definition of "domestic violence", that is broad and includes physical and other forms of violence such as emotional/verbal, sexual, and economic abuse.

3. It is a civil law meant primarily for protection orders and not meant to be enforced criminally.

Source: The Hindu

Surge-type glaciers

Prelims- Geography

1. Scientists from Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology(WIHG), Dehradun an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology have found a seasonal advancement in surge-type glaciers in the Karakoram Range of Ladakh.

2. ‘Surging’ or ‘Surge-type’ glaciers are a certain type of glaciers that have shown advancement in volume and length over a period of time.

3. The behaviour of these glaciers that represent 40% of the total glaciated area of the Karakoram goes against the normal trend of considerable reduction in volume and length of most glaciers in the Himalaya in recent decades.

4. Surging of glaciers is potentially catastrophic as it can lead to the destruction of villages, roads and bridges. It can also advance across a river valley and form an ice-dammed lake.

5. These lakes can form catastrophic outburst floods. So, monitoring of glacier surges, ice-dammed lake formation, and drainage is important.

6. The surge during winter is more hydrological controlled due to staggered subglacial flow and low amount of meltwater.

7. The surging terminates in summer due to channelized flow of meltwater and considerable heterogeneity in movement is also observed during summer and springtimes.

8. The study will help to understand the diversity of glacial behaviour and help make accurate assessments of individual glacier mass balances for disaster planning and management.

Source: PIB

CSIR & Genome Database

CSIR & Genome Database

1. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has submitted many genome sequences of the novel coronavirus to a global genome database

2. This will help in better understanding the virus and developing a vaccine.

3. The CSIR is currently sequencing the genomes of the novel coronavirus. Other CSIR institutes are also expected to join the process.

About Genome Database

1. The Genome Database (GDB) is the official central repository for genomic mapping data resulting from the Human Genome Initiative.

2. It was established at Johns Hopkins University in USA in 1990.

3. The Human Genome Initiative is a worldwide research effort to analyze the structure of human DNA and determine the location and sequence of the estimated 100,000 human genes.

4. In support of this project, GDB stores and curates data generated worldwide by those researchers engaged in the mapping effort of the Human Genome Project (HGP).

5. GDB's mission is to make available to scientists an encyclopedia of the human genome that is being constantly revised and updated to reflect the current state of scientific knowledge.

Source: The Hindu

Water wisdom

Water wisdom

1. World Water Day was observed this year on March 22.

2. Its broader aim was to raise awareness on the importance of freshwater and advocate for its sustainable management.

3. There was a recognition of the importance of water in handwashing and personal hygiene practices.

4. The theme for the event this year was “Water and Climate Change”.

5. This reflected the desire of policymakers to address the impact of climate change on the water sector.

Water and Climate change

1. Climate change and water are inextricably linked.

2. Water is the primary medium for climate change impacts to trickle down to the community and individual levels through reduced predictability of water availability.

3. Growing populations and their demand for water increase the need for energy-intensive water pumping, transportation, and treatment.

4. It contributes to the degradation of critical water-dependent carbon sinks such as peatlands.

5. Due to climate change, water cycles experience significant change that reflects in water availability and quality.

6. A warmer climate causes more water to evaporate from both land and oceans, in turn, a warmer atmosphere can hold more water, roughly 4% more water for every 1ºF rise in temperature.

Extreme weather events

1. These changes are expected to increase precipitation and run-off (flooding) in certain areas and less precipitation and a longer and more severe scarcity of water (droughts) in other areas.

2. So, wet areas are expected to become wetter and dry areas drier.

3. This influences almost all aspects of the economy including drinking water, sanitation, health, food production, energy generation, industrial manufacturing, and environmental sustainability and ultimately the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

4. In coastal areas when more freshwater is removed from rivers and aquifers, saltwater will move farther upstream into the river mouth and the aquifer. This will put pressure on the limited freshwater available on the coast, forcing water managers to seek costly alternatives like desalination plants.

5. Water is a common pool natural resource that sustains ecosystems, biodiversity, food security, economies, and society. So, judicious use with balancing multiple water needs is significant.

6. In developing countries like India, a large population depends on climate-sensitive sectors like agriculture, fisheries and forestry for its livelihoods.

Mitigation strategies

1. India has come up with climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies and appropriate policy measures. National Action Plan on Climate Change is being implemented through 8 National Missions, including the Water Mission.

2. But effective policies need the support of the local governments, corporates and NGOs.

3. Water resources planning must be given due consideration while dealing with climate impacts.

4. Tanks and ponds can store and recharge the excess rainwater to the aquifer. Their rejuvenation (desilting) facilitates flood and drought management.

5. The following ideas should be generated and inculcated in each citizen.

a. More public awareness on the need for climate-resilient actions,

b. protecting carbon sinks like oceans, wetlands, peatlands, and mangroves,

c, adopting climate-smart agricultural techniques, rainwater harvesting, waste-water reuse, and

d. judicious use of water

Source: The Hindu

COVID-19 law

COVID-19 law

1. The nationwide lockdown has been central to the government’s strategy to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. The lockdown exercise has caused unprecedented economic losses to the organized sector.

3. In the unorganized sector, there has been a complete breakdown with little or no legal recourse for those affected.

4. The lockdown has helped contain community spread of the disease, but a legal and legislative audit of this exercise has evaded scrutiny.

Present laws

1. NDMA 2005

a. The lockdown has been carried out by State governments and district authorities on the directions of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs under the Disaster Management Act of 2005.

b. Invoking Disaster Management Act has allowed the Union government to communicate seamlessly with the States.

c. This was intended to provide for the effective management of disasters and for other related matters.

d. Under the Act, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was set up under the leadership of the Prime Minister, and the National Executive Committee (NEA) chaired by the Home Secretary.

e. The NDMA and NEA directed the Union Ministries, State governments and authorities to take effective measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and laid out guidelines on the functioning of services and establishments during the lockdown.

2. Epidemic Diseases Act 1897

The State governments and authorities exercised powers under the Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897 to issue further directions.

Challenges

1. The NDMA Act was not originally intended to address the threat of a pandemic.

2. The Epidemic Diseases Act reveals lack of requisite diligence and responsiveness of government authorities in providing novel and innovative policy solutions to address a 21st-century problem.

3. Any violation of the orders passed would be prosecutable under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code. This is a very ineffective and broad provision dealing with disobedience of an order issued by a public servant.

4. Proceedings under Section 188 can only be initiated by private complaint and not through a First Information Report.

5. Offences arising out of these guidelines and orders have a weak basis in terms of criminal jurisdiction thereby weakening the objectives of the lockdown.

UK and Singapore’s New Law

1. The U.K. enacted the Coronavirus Act, 2020, comprehensive legislation dealing with all issues like emergency registration of healthcare professionals to financial assistance to industries.

2. Singapore passed the Infectious Diseases Regulations, 2020, providing for issuance of stay orders that can send ‘at-risk individuals’ to a government-specified accommodation facility.

3. Both these laws set out unambiguous conditions and legally binding obligations.

Way forward

1. The Union government should consider promulgating ordinances.

2. These circumstances call out for legislative leadership, to assist and empower States to overcome COVID-19 and to revive their economic, education and public health sectors.

Source: Indian Express

Chemical Disasters in India

Chemical Disasters in India

The existing laws in India provide protection to victims of chemical disasters.

Laws after Bhopal tragedy

1. Bhopal Gas Leak (Processing of Claims) Act, 1985

a. It gives powers to the central government to secure the claims arising out of or connected with the Bhopal gas tragedy.

b. Under the provisions of this Act, claims are dealt with speedily and equitably.

2. The Environment Protection Act, 1986

 It gives powers to the central government to undertake measures for improving the environment and set standards and inspect industrial units.

a. Under this, the Centre has notified Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemicals Rules, 1989 and the Hazardous Wastes (Management, Handling and Transboundary Movement) Rules, 2008 for regulating hazardous substances.

b. Violation of these regulations or failure to comply with standards would constitute an offence. The Act also has provisions against government officials found violating the law.

c. The accused are booked under Section 304A of the IPC, pertaining to causing death by negligence and with a provision of jail term of maximum two years.

3. Indian Penal Code

a. At the time of the Bhopal gas tragedy, the Indian Penal Code (IPC) was the only relevant law specifying criminal liability for such incidents.

b. The accused was initially charged in the case under Section 304 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC.

c. The charges were later framed under Section 304A, dealing with death due to negligence and imposes a maximum punishment of two years and a fine.

4. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 

a. It is an insurance meant to provide relief to persons affected by accidents that occur while handling hazardous substances.

b. The Environment Relief Fund (ERF), a central fund under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, was set up to provide immediate relief to victims of accidents in chemical industries.

5. The National Environment Appellate Authority Act, 1997

Under this, the National Environment Appellate Authority can hear appeals regarding the restriction of areas in which any industries, operations or processes are not be carried out or carried out subject to certain safeguards under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

6. National Green Tribunal, 2010

a. It provides for the establishment of a National Green Tribunal for effective and expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests.

b. Any incident similar to the Bhopal gas tragedy will be tried in the National Green Tribunal and most likely under the provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.

7. Civil Nuclear Liability Act, 2010

a. The 2010 Act deals with instituting civil liability for nuclear damage and granting prompt compensation to victims of a nuclear incident.

b. Civil nuclear law does not deal with criminal remedies.  The principle of strict liability was evolved by the Supreme Court in the 1987 Oleum Gas leak case to fix civil liability on companies and compensate the victims.

Potential risk in India

1. There are thousands of Major Accident Hazard (MAH) units spread across India in all zones of the country.

2. There are thousands of registered and hazardous factories and unorganized sectors dealing with numerous ranges of hazardous material posing serious and complex levels of disaster risks.

Source: The Hindu and Indian Express

Styrene Gas Leak

Styrene Gas Leak

Mains-GS-3-Technology

Styrene gas leaked from a chemical factory on the outskirts of Visakhapatnam.

What is styrene?

1. Styrene is an organic compound with the formula C8H8.  It is a derivative of benzene (C6H6).

2. It is stored in factories as a liquid, but evaporates easily, and has to be kept at temperatures under 20°C.

Where is styrene used?

1. Styrene is the main raw material for synthesis of polystyrene, or (C8H8)n.

2. Polystyrene is a versatile plastic that is used to make parts of various appliances such as refrigerators, micro-ovens, automotive parts, and parts of electronics such as computers and to manufacture disposable cups and in food packaging.

3. Styrene is also used as an intermediate to produce copolymers, polymers derived from one or more species of monomers such as styrene.

How does exposure to styrene gas affect humans?

1. Exposure to styrene gas affects the central nervous system.

2. Breathlessness, respiratory problems, irritation in eyes, indigestion, nausea, transient loss of consciousness, unsteady gait, giddiness are caused by exposure to it.

3. In people suffering from respiratory illness such as asthma, and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases, these conditions may get exaggerated.

4. Those suffering from diabetes or hypertension may have anxiety disorders.

5. Mucous membrane is mainly affected by exposure to styrene gas.

6. In Visakhapatnam, the styrene gas leak caused acute breathlessness leading to death of few due to asphyxiation. But as most people were exposed to the gas for a short duration, there may not be any long-term effects.

7. With long term exposure, there is a chance of developing leukaemia and headaches.

Why could it not be prevented?

1. Styrene has to be stored in gas tanks under 20°C to keep it stable.

2. The temperature has to be continuously monitored, and any exposure to light or heat may result in polymerisation.

3. Some gas accumulated at the ceiling of the storage tank and its temperature rose beyond the specified 20°C, and the styrene started vaporising and escaped. This is called auto-polymerization.

Which is the way forward?

1. Solatium payments and compensation for the victims and families

2. Access to the highest quality of health care for the victims.

3. The States have the authority under the Central government’s orders to exempt process industries.

4. Safety of industrial chemicals requires continuous watch, with no scope for waivers.

5. India needs to strengthen its approach to public and occupational safety.

6. Transparent oversight is needed to advance sustainable development by eliminating terrible mistakes.

Source: The Hindu and Indian Express