Business Standard reported that disappointed with the arrest of 3 of its officials in connection with the chimney disaster incident, Vedanta controlled Bharat Aluminium Company Limited has put the ball on the court of construction companies for the collapse of the structure.

Mr BK Sriwastwa Balcos chief of corporate communication said that under the Engineering Procurement and Construction agreement, the SAPCO was supposed to hand over the power plant to Balco after the completion of work. The construction companies were responsible for all the works.

Mr Sriwastwa said that the arrest of Balco officials was not justified as it was the onus of the SEPCO and GDCL.

He added that the management is disappointed with the action taken by police against the officials.

Mr Sriwastwa said that the Balco management had been extending all cooperation to the investigating agencies besides taking care of the family members of those killed in the tragic incident.

The officials were arrested after a case was registered with the police following the collapse of the chimney that killed 41 people on September 23rd 2009. The local court of law had rejected the bail plea of the officials and sent them to judicial custody for 14 days.

The Chinese construction company, Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation was awarded work for setting up the 1200 MW power plant. The Chinese firm had given contract to Indian construction company Gannon Dunkerley and Company Limited to build the chimneys.

(Sourced from Business Standard)