Punjab orders probe into rice mill accident

CHANDIGARH - The Punjab government Tuesday ordered a high-level probe into an accident at a rice mill in Khamano town near Ludhiana in which two workers were killed and four others were seriously injured.

An atomized paddy steam plant installed at the Lakshmi Energy and Foods industries had collapsed in the early hours of Monday. The roof and floor of the factory had collapsed owing to heavy machinery installed there.

State Labour and Employment Minister Tikshan Sud Tuesday said a four-member committee headed by Additional Director of Factories Hardial Singh Gill would probe the accident. The committee would look into the causes of the incident and submit its report at the earliest.

Sud said the families of the victims would be given Rs.100,000 from the chief minister’s discretionary fund.

He added that responsibility for the accident would be fixed and legal action could be initiated against the concerned persons.