Yashwant Sinha Stages Protest in Ramgarh Over Pollution, Safety Concerns at Shri Ram Power Plant

Former Union Finance and External Affairs Minister and retired IAS officer Yashwant Sinha staged a five-and-a-half-hour dharna outside the main gate of the Ramgarh district administration office on Thursday, raising concerns over alleged pollution, worker safety and administrative action against Shri Ram Power and Steel Pvt Ltd.

Former MLA Shankar Choudhary also joined Sinha at the protest, which was held as scheduled along with their supporters.

Sinha alleged that the district administration had not taken adequate action on complaints related to pollution and other issues concerning factories operating in the district. He also questioned the manner in which inspections of industrial units were being conducted.

According to Sinha, pollution-control equipment at factories was allegedly switched on when inspection teams arrived and turned off afterward, resulting in pollution levels not being properly reflected during inspections. He also alleged that prescribed safety standards for workers were not being adequately followed.

Sinha said that strict pollution-control regulations are in place and that enforcement of these standards requires effective administrative monitoring. Referring to his own experience in public administration, he said inspection mechanisms should ensure that pollution-control systems remain operational on a regular basis rather than only during inspections.

Dispute Over Investigation Report

Sinha also raised questions over an investigation conducted under the supervision of the Sub-Divisional Officer into Shri Ram Power and Steel. He said that, after examining the report, he found that apart from the fire-safety-related findings, eight issues raised in connection with the plant had not been adequately addressed.

He said he had written to the Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner on September 14 seeking the formation of a fresh committee and a detailed report on the eight points. Sinha alleged that he did not receive a response to his letter.

According to Sinha, when he staged the dharna on September 25, an official handed a letter to former MLA Shankar Choudhary on behalf of the Deputy Commissioner. Sinha said the letter, dated September 25, referred to communication with the earlier investigation committee regarding the issues raised in his September 14 letter.

Sinha Questions Deputy Commissioner’s Conduct

Sinha also expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that the Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner did not meet him during the protest. He questioned the training and administrative approach of the present generation of IAS officers and alleged that the Deputy Commissioner’s conduct and working style were not in the public interest.

Sinha said that despite remaining at the protest site for around five-and-a-half hours, the Deputy Commissioner did not come to meet him.

Shankar Choudhary Raises Further Allegations

Former MLA Shankar Choudhary also accused the district administration of failing to provide investigation reports on time and of allowing shortcomings in the reports to go unaddressed.

He alleged that administrative authorities bore significant responsibility for issues including worker deaths, safety violations and pollution if effective monitoring and enforcement were not carried out.

Choudhary further alleged that the administration had failed to effectively implement directions concerning the operation of industrial units. He also alleged that influential interests were being used to protect factories from regulatory action. These allegations were made during the protest and were not independently established in the information available.

Choudhary also criticised the Deputy Commissioner for not personally visiting the protest site. He alleged that an official sent by the administration told them that the Deputy Commissioner was attending a video conference, while he claimed the Deputy Commissioner was subsequently engaged in meetings and other official proceedings.

The protesters said they would continue their agitation over the issues and reiterated their demand for a detailed response to the points raised by Sinha and for effective action on pollution and industrial safety concerns.