Shortage of staff hinders inspection of factories in Goa.

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Shortage of staff hinders inspection of factories in Goa.
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The Minister for Factories and Boilers, Dr Suresh Amonkar admitted
on the floor of Assembly that the number of the factory inspectors and
boiler inspectors was not sufficient but they were carrying out their task.
Dr Amonkar said that there were a total of 998 registered factories in the
state out of which 700 were working, while the Inspectorate of Factories
and Boilers had 5 factory inspectors and 1 boiler inspector for carrying
out the inspections.

Replying to a question from the Aldona MLA, Mr Dayanand Narvekar,
the minister observed that cases were pending against 122 factories
for not complying with the rules and regulations.

Dr Amonkar also informed that the inspections are normally carried out
to check the health and safety standards in the factories. "A number of
inspections are carried out for the boilers, such as checking their fittings,
checking their assembly, carrying out the hydraulic tests and undertaking
the steam test", he revealed. At present there are 86 working boilers in
altogether 46 factories around the state.

He also noted that if there are factories of similar nature in an area then
it becomes easier for the inspectors to carry out more inspections in a day.
"A number of anomalies are found to exist in the workings of the factories
such as inadequate machine guidance, improper plant maintenance,
lack of safety training, improper handling of hazardous material and
lack of hygiene in the work place", Dr Amonkar pointed out.

He briefed that the inspectors visit all the factories in Goa to check the
safety of employees and that 726 inspections have been carried out
from October 2000 till date. He also stated that a case was registered
against the Sesa Goa Company, Amona for being responsible for the death
of an employee on duty by crushing.

The Factories and Boilers Minister however voiced ignorance about the action
taken by the government against the management of a factory from Pilerne,
where a worker lost his life during an accident.
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The Navhind Times 25/04/03 page 3
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