New Delhi: The government on Wednesday sought to
downplay issuing of look-out notices against Chinese employees
working at Balco`s power plant in Chhattisgarh, where collapse
of a Chimney last week caused death of 45 people.
Home Minister P Chidambaram said it was not very "complex
issue" and the notices were issued on the "request of Chief
Minister of Chhattisgarh (Raman Singh)" as the government had
launched an investigation on the tragic incident.
"Once the authorities identify who is responsible (for
the Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd (Balco) accident) they can
leave. This was done to ensure that investigators have access
to them. We had requested them to stay back. And this was done
to ensure that they remain here," Chidambaram told reporters
here.
The Centre had issued look-out notices at all the exit
points against 89 Chinese engineers and workmen employed at
the plant where the accident took place on September 23.
The passport details were given to immigration
authorities at all the airports and ports with instructions to
ensure that none of them leaves the country.
The notices became necessary after these Chinese
personnel employees of Shandong Electric Power Construction
Corporation (SECPO) for the construction of plant fled after
the chimney collapse incident.
Bureau Report
