STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: Leader of the Opposition Debabrata Saikia today moved a private member Bill in the House titled the Public Properties Insurance Bill, 2022. The bill was moved with the aim of insuring the lives and properties of the people who live near high-risk industries.
Debabrata Saikia, while moving the bill, said that people who lived near industries like hydro projects, tea gardens, open cast mines, stone crushers etc., were exposed to pollution and faced threat to their lives and properties. Hence, their lives and properties must be insured. Also, there must be provision to give them compensation in case of any untoward incident.
While replying on behalf of the State Industry and Commerce Minister, minister Pijush Hazarika said that the bill moved by Saikia lacked clarity. The bill did not specify which industries would be included under the high-risk industry category. It also did not specify the grounds under which compensation would be granted and which would be the competent authority to deal with matters of compensation.
Hazarika said that the Government of India had a similar Act called the Public Liability Insurance Act to provide immediate relief and support to those affected by any industrial accident. Hence, there was no need for bringing in the Public Properties Insurance Bill, 2022, he said and rejected the bill.
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