NHRC issues notice to HPCL and Punjab and Haryana govt

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Tuesday issued notices to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Punjab and Haryana government over reports of pollution happening due to Guru Gobind Singh Refinery.

"The commission has taken suo moto cognisance of media reports that Guru Gobind Singh Refinery in Bhatinda, Punjab is emitting heavy smoke and therefore, causing asthma, cough, eye infections and allergic conditions to the residents of 12 villages in Dabwali Assembly segment of Sirsa in Haryana.

"The refinery, owned by the Hindustan Mittal Energy Limited, is a joint venture of the HPCL and Mittal Energy Investment Private Limited, Singapore," said a statement issued by NHRC.

The commission further said that, reportedly, neither the government of Haryana nor the government of Punjab had taken any action to address the problems of the residents of these villages.

"The refinery is least bothered about the health hazards. Allegedly, on June 21 this year, due to a blast in the Refinery, metal splinters measuring one feet fell in the villages," the commission said.

"The contents of the report, if true, raise serious issue of violation of right to life of the residents of these villages," observed the commission.

The notices have been issued notices to the chief secretaries of Punjab and Haryana government and to the chairman and managing director of HPCL and a detailed report has been sought within four weeks over the same.