CUDDALORE, 21 May, 2007 — On 8 May, 2007, at around 5.30 a.m., contract worker Kannan, aged about 45, from Semmankuppam Madukarai village suffered severe burn injuries on his left hand, and light burns on his left cheek after an accident while loading firewood at Pioneer Miyagi’s boiler. He was admitted in Kannan Hospital in Cuddalore New Town, and was discharged on 17 May. He is yet to recover fully, according to his wife. Mr. Kannan, who is a dues paying member of Employees State Insurance, has not been paid any compensation. SACEM has intimated the Factories Inspector and the District Collector about the incident.
Pioneer, a repeat offender, was also found to be reclaiming land by dumping debris into the River Uppanar on 17 May, 2007. This was verified by SACEM on 18 May, 2007. Dumping of debris into the River Uppanar is an offence, under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification, 1991.
Similar illegal activities were stopped by the Collector in April, but the company has clearly resumed and completed reclamation.