Tragic Death of Minor Worker Sparks Controversy at Karni Kripa Steel Plant
A grievous incident has recently emerged at the Karni Kripa Steel and Power Plant located in Mahasamund, India, where a minor worker tragically lost his life due to unsafe working conditions. The plant, which commenced operations just one year ago, has already seen a disturbing series of accidents, raising serious concerns about the lack of safety measures and the unlawful employment of underage workers.
Details of the Incident
On January 4, 2025, a 18-year-old worker named Abhishek Verma tragically lost his life while working at the Karni Kripa Steel and Power Plant. The incident occurred when the young worker was assigned the task of spreading concrete in an 8-foot deep pit. During this task, a concrete-filled vehicle fell into the pit, tragically crushing and suffocating him. This was Abhishek’s first day working at the plant, and the absence of safety measures at the site played a direct role in his untimely death.
This tragic death highlights the negligence on the part of the management of the plant, which, despite its relatively short operational timeline, has been plagued by numerous workplace accidents. Over the course of the past year, at least three fatalities have been reported, and many others have been injured. In an even more shocking revelation, one of the previous fatalities, along with several seriously injured workers, was kept hidden for two months, raising serious questions about the plant's transparency and the protection of its workers.
Investigation and Legal Action
The tragic incident has drawn the attention of both local lawmakers and authorities. Anurag Verma, the brother of the deceased, has made an impassioned plea for justice. According to the Aadhaar card of the deceased, Abhishek Verma was below the legal working age of 18 years, which makes this incident not just a case of negligence, but also a violation of child labor laws. Anurag has demanded strict action against the responsible parties, emphasizing that such tragic events must never be allowed to happen again.
The incident has triggered public outrage, particularly from local political leaders. Yogeshwar Raju Sinha, the Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the BJP, has strongly criticized the negligence of the plant's management and the officials who failed to enforce proper safety regulations. The Collector, Vinay Kumar Langeh, has assured the family of the deceased worker that a thorough investigation will be conducted and has promised compensation for the family, while emphasizing that strict measures will be taken against those responsible for the tragedy.
Previous Accidents and Concerns
The tragic death of Abhishek Verma is not an isolated case. Since the plant’s inception, it has been marred by a series of accidents, with multiple serious injuries and fatalities occurring in its short operational period. In one instance, a fatal accident and the injury of a worker were kept hidden for a period of two months, which only underscores the lack of accountability and transparency in the operations at the plant.
In light of this, the Labour Department and the Industrial Health and Safety Officer have been heavily criticized for their lack of action. After the latest incident, both departments conducted an inspection of the plant site. They found several safety violations, including inadequate safety measures, which led to the sealing of the site until further investigations could be carried out. This has raised serious concerns about why, despite numerous incidents over the past year, authorities allowed such a dangerous environment to persist without proper intervention.
Calls for Accountability and Safety Improvements
The recent tragedy has sparked a wave of demands for accountability. Labour officials, safety officers, and management are now under intense scrutiny for their failure to ensure workplace safety, particularly in a high-risk environment like a steel and power plant. The fact that underage workers were employed without proper protective measures has raised alarms about the wider implications of child labor and unsafe working conditions.
Despite the assurances of compensation and investigation from local authorities, many are questioning why such lapses in safety were allowed to persist for so long. The public and the families of the victims are demanding swift action and reforms to ensure that future incidents of this nature are prevented and that companies are held accountable for their actions.
The Karni Kripa Steel and Power Plant, while a significant industrial project in the region, now faces a critical test. Its management must address the issues of worker safety, age verification, and transparency in order to restore public trust and prevent further tragedies. Until these issues are addressed, the question remains: why were adequate safety measures not implemented earlier?
