Jadugora , UCIL chief Kacham Anand Rao has dismissed allegations that radiation from uranium mines and mills in Jharkhand’s Singhbhum region is causing health problems such as skin diseases, cancer and congenital deformities, saying such ailments are largely linked to “backwardness” and local conditions.
But neither my family nor I have experienced any radiation impact or occupational disease. I am a shift in-charge here. At least 10 scientific studies have been conducted by different organisations, which have proved that there is no link between uranium operations and the diseases found in the area,” Rao said during an interaction at Jadugora. He said they are going to conduct a fresh study on health impact, as the previous studies were conducted around 7-8 years ago. Sai Prasad, 47, who is associated with uranium mining operations at Narwapahar for 18 years, claimed that he has not experienced any occupational disease. “I have been working in the mine for the past 18 years. More than 700 people work here, and many of them have been working for more than two decades.
“Whatever skin disease or cancer is being attributed by some people is not due to uranium mines. Because of local conditions and backwardness of the area, they are.
“We will shortly conduct a fresh study so that local people are convinced that nothing harmful is being caused by the UCIL operations,” he said. The CMD, however, said finding a competent agency for such a study is a challenge, as very few organisations have expertise in the field. They also did not experience such an impact while directly engaged with mining operations,” Prasad told PTI.
Local groups and social rights activists have for decades criticised uranium mining operations of the UCIL, alleging that radiation from the mines and mills is affecting surrounding areas and causing diseases such as cancer, tuberculosis and congenital deformities.
