Comments on: The Story of Pirangut Fire Accident- Whose Life Is It Anyway

By: Suchita

Suchita — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 03:06:48 +0000

Ease of negligence and callousness. Ease on conscience.

That’s what we have arrived at. Thanks for sharing this.

By: T.S.Ramanathan

T.S.Ramanathan — Sat, 26 Jun 2021 03:49:43 +0000

In most instances of this kind the concerned company bribes people at the government level and the authorities turn a blind eye towards any such incident. Only when any important person is involved the incident comes to light and there is some effort to compensate the affected. There is always an unholy nexus between the factory directorate and the organisations flouting the norms. The media also does not want to get involved as there is very little impact on TRP due to these incidents. This is the sad state of affairs in our country and is prevalent in almost all states.God knows when this situation will take the right turn and common people will get the true justice which they deserve….

By: Debashish Roy

Debashish Roy — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 09:22:15 +0000

Dear Mr Patwardhan…was shocked and moved on reading this article…how could this happen in a relatively well developed city and state in today’s age. Whilst regulations and enforcements are important, the larger issue is how do we get employers and managers to respect individuals as fellow human beings and not see them as economic units….how do we create a movement and nurture “respect” as a culture in every organisation. No amount of regulations and enforcement can bring about change unless we start with employers and managers…through Industry associations, associations of Medium and Small Scale Enterprises, CII, HRD network etc and involve the TU leaders in this…this will be long drawn since behaviour takes time to change…but we should make a beginning……

By: Vineet Kaul

Vineet Kaul — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 06:42:40 +0000

Thanks Vivek for sharing this fact finding and chilling experience of Pirangut. It is quite a can of worms .

The fact is that Occupational Safety and fatalities are taken very lightly…Media reports sensation/breaking news for a few hours and then moves onto the next item … Management will Offcourse conduct an enquiry and deal with it as any other factory issue like materials shortage etc ,Unions will also take it up and then sign off some MOM and look to the next Agenda , The State Govt would make some announcement and move on…

Would like to see Industry Bodies and Unions at State/National Level raise the antenna on OHS and safety of lives . Please call out the Employers who do not follow basic norms. Am not sure if the Best Employer and related Awards criteria survey the OHS focus and record of the Companies .

On this subject in over 4 decades irrespective of whichever Government…this has been a neglected area.

Look forward to urgent steps in this regard

By: Visty Banaji

Visty Banaji — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 04:13:15 +0000

Thank you, Vivek, for another mighty push against the wall of corporate callousness. As long as there are people like you, I have some hope that they will be brought down.
Visty

By: Ajit Abhyankar

Ajit Abhyankar — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 03:32:03 +0000

Very touching article written by an experienced HR professional makes a deep impact. The point is the governments since 2014 onwards have clearly instructed through circulars that no officer even at the regional office level, would visit any establishment to inspect the record or compliance of law except without written and specific order for the specific establishmentfrom the central office in Delhi(for PF and ESI) or Mumbai(for Factory Act and other Labour Laws)!

When government is out to leave the compliance of labour laws entirely at the discretion of the employers alone, what else can be expected ?

By: Srinivas Sastri

Srinivas Sastri — Sun, 20 Jun 2021 03:08:25 +0000

Dear VSP, Moved and disturbed by this share. As always, admire your attempt to articulate the core issues without politicising. Your are right. As a society we remain largely insensitive to the real issues, partly due to the manner of how our minds are ‘shaped’ by media besides being caught up in our personal priorities largely selfish. The lack of faith in the system to provide equitable justice sums up the state of real governance that prevails.

By: Ajay

Ajay — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 17:29:33 +0000

Hard reality.the place is away from city.people staying close by are the labour force who are ready to work at any rate and in any harsh conditions. I don’t think these sad deaths will have any effect on any government agencies who were responsible for over all safety.Factory Malik will utilise all his power to get out jail and even his lawyers will prove him not guilty.people working at grass roots were not safe in licence raj.They are not safe now either.deepest condolences to the relatives of the deceased.When will the nation change? Where is good governance?
Sir you have boldly thrown the system exposed open and naked .hope it’s taken seriously as learnings so such mishaps don’t recur.

By: Nandeeta

Nandeeta — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 17:12:16 +0000

Extremely disturbing and also the sad reality ! How does life become so cheap. When professionals learn to “manage” rules this is what happens . “Tum manage Kar Lena ” is often expected of HR .Economy needs to grow and people need to be employed but at what cost . I am sure that some people in the company would have insurance ,hefty salaries. Some lives are more precious than others . We think we are God’s gift to humanity . because we employ people and think we are feeding their families. Business have suffered in the Inspection rule and now we are like teenagers without parental guidance. We have become like pendulums swinging to find balance but the collateral damage is very high

By: Himanshu M.Bhatt

Himanshu M.Bhatt — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 11:39:38 +0000

Your simple narration has moved me a lot.
Ease of business – at what cost ?
You have rightly mentioned – some lives are comparatively less important.
Today in law all deterrence are removed to help the culprits.
If this is the price for making India developed then let us remain under developed for all time to come. We are JAHILS – Gaye Gujre of the world.
This too shall get Scot Free. We have sold our souls, lock stock and barrel.
Shame on us .
We will certainly do something substantial about this .
Big thank YOU Sir.
Himanshu M.Bhatt