Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has questioned the Centre over delay in the implementation of M.B. Lal Committee recommendations to prevent recurrence of incidents such as the recent fire outbreak at the Hazira plant of Indian Oil Corporation near Surat.

In a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Modi expressed serious concern over no public knowledge regarding status of the implementation of 118 recommendations made by Lal Committee, an official statement said.

Following the fire at Indian Oil Corporation Jaipur terminal on October 29, 2009, the Central Government then had set up a seven-member committee under the chairmanship of Lal, former chairman of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation to look into the incidence and recommend future course of action to prevent such incidence.

The Hazira plant fire incident this month has not only caused huge financial loss and disruption of oil supply but also led to the loss of three precious human lives and widespread panic in the nearby areas, Modi said.

Modi stated in his letter that “We cannot afford to have another such incident as it impacts our energy security and questions our ability to manage such sensitive installations”.

The Gujarat Chief Minister asked the Prime Minister that in case those recommendations have not been implemented in entirety, the Central Government should fix the responsibility within a reasonable timeframe so that safety and security of such installations are not compromised any further.

According to the Lal Committee, Jaipur incident was the first of its kind in India and third one reported globally. The Panel had suggested that the accident could have been managed if safety procedures provided in the control room were not defunct; the backup for emergency shutdown from control room was not available, and there was delay in emergency response for a long period.

Modi said that safety of oil depots/ terminals is of paramount importance to ensure energy security and such recurrence of fire cannot be accepted. 

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