Addressing a two day conference on environment and safety – prevention & management of chemical accidents” in collaboration with ministry of environment & forests in Delhi on Wednesday, Choubey said in the present era of rapid growth of oil-chemical, and other processed industries, the manmade chemical hazards have increased manifold. Hence prevention of such hazards has assumed paramount importance. He also emphasized the need for convergence of various policies and programmes to mitigate the impact of chemicals.

He said PSEs have accorded high priority to environment, safety and health.  Issues related to occupational health, safety and environment protection and their remedial measures are discussed in the board meetings of PSEs. Chemical industry is one of the oldest industries in India which accounts for 17.6% of the manufacturing sector output; 13-14% in exports; 8-9% in imports and contributes 3% of the GDP, he added.   

Muzaffar Ahmad, member of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Susheel Kumar, additional secretary at the ministry of environment & forests and B B Chakraborty, chairman, Central Pollution Control Board also addressed the inaugural session. A large number of senior and middle level executives from CPSEs attended the programme.

Ahmad in his inaugural address said after paradigm shift from relief to prevention of chemical accidents, role of government, local community, hazardous units, NGOs and chemical industrial associations have become crucial.  He said the sustainability of chemical disaster management can lost long successfully and effectively if all these stakeholders come forward and work towards safety measures.

Susheel Kumar in his address mentioned various steps taken by the ministry with regard to management of chemical accidents.  He also emphasized the need to have programmes with top management of PSEs to understand changes needed in the system.