No Data with DoP on Pharma Factory Accidents, Labour Ministry Notes 1,090 Fatalities in 2023, Parliament Told
Pharma Accident
New Delhi: Concerns over accidents and casualties in pharmaceutical factories were raised in Parliament, with the Government clarifying that the Department of Pharmaceuticals does not maintain such accident data, while figures provided by the Labour Ministry highlight both fatal and non-fatal injuries in registered factories across the country over the past decade.
The matter came up during a Rajya Sabha session, where Anil Kumar Yadav Mandadi sought details on accidents in pharmaceutical factories, including the number of incidents since 2014 and measures taken by the Government to prevent such occurrences.
Responding to the query, Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, stated in a written reply:
"Details regarding prevention of accidents and casualties occurring in pharmaceutical factories do not come under the purview of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers and, therefore, no data in respect of the same is maintained by the Department."
She, however, shared figures from the Ministry of Labour and Employment, which monitors accidents in registered factories, including pharmaceutical units. The data revealed that:
Fatal injuries stood at 1,266 in 2014, declined to 1,050 in 2020, but rose again to 1,090 in 2023.
Non-fatal injuries showed a sharper drop, from 25,500 in 2014 to 2,832 in 2020, with minor fluctuations thereafter, recording 2,949 cases in 2023.
On the issue of preventive measures and legal provisions, the reply stated:
"The Ministry of Labour and Employment has informed that the Factories Act, 1948 provides for safety, health and welfare of workers working in factories registered under the Act. The said Act and the rules made thereunder are enforced by the State Governments concerned through the Chief Inspectors of Factories (CIFs) / Directorates of Industrial Safety and Health (DISHs) in their respective spheres. CIFs/DISHs are empowered to take legal action against the occupier and manager of the factory for violations of the said Act and rules."
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