Worker safety under lens as rights panel probes Bawal fire

Rewari: The Haryana Human Rights Commission has stepped into the probe of recent factory fire tragedies in Rewari's industrial belt, seeking reports from five departments and raising concerns over worker safety, compensation and accountability.Taking suo motu cognisance of major fire incidents in Bawal and Dharuhera, the commission observed the matter involved workers' safety, dignity and fundamental human rights, and not merely industrial accidents.Acting on a complaint by Rewari resident Prakash Yadav and taking cognisance of media reports, the commission sought detailed responses from the district administration, police, labour department, industrial safety authorities and fire services. It has asked officials to explain safety compliance, inspection records, rescue operations, compensation measures and lapses that may have contributed to the incidents.The intervention comes in the wake of the May 19 fire at a chemical manufacturing unit in Bawal that left two workers dead and seven injured.Rewari deputy commissioner Abhishek Meena said a criminal case had already been registered against the factory owner and directions issued to ensure compensation for the families of the deceased and injured workers. "The immediate priority is to ensure victims and their families receive the assistance and compensation they are entitled to. If the management fails to fulfil its obligations, the administration will step in," he said.With questions being raised over the absence of arrests more than two weeks after the incident, Rewari superintendent of police Hemendra Kumar Meena said a special investigation team had been constituted and the probe was underway. "An FIR was registered on the day of the incident itself. Arrests will be made on the basis of the findings and evidence that emerge during the investigation," the SP said, adding that police were conducting a fair and evidence-based inquiry.The commission has also expressed concern over recurring industrial fires in the Bawal-Dharuhera manufacturing corridor, observing that repeated accidents raise serious questions about enforcement of safety norms, disaster preparedness and protection of workers employed in hazardous industries.The matter will come up for hearing on Aug 12, with authorities directed to submit detailed reports before the commission.