Give details on fireworks accidents and safety measures : HC to state

Madurai: Madras high court on Monday directed the state government to file a detailed report on the number of fireworks accidents reported in Virudhunagar district and innovative safety measures to prevent such accidents.

A division bench of justice N Sathish Kumar and justice M Jothiraman directed the state to file the report with details as to whether the units are licenced by district revenue officer and Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO). The judges also sought details regarding the number of cases registered following the accidents and the present status of cases.

The judges further sought details from Virudhunagar district collector on the creation of an online portal with details about the total number of fireworks units functioning in the district to enable people to submit complaints to the authorities if there are any units functioning illegally. The judges also sought to know if there are any innovative safety measures to prevent fireworks accidents. The judges sought details with regard to the insurance coverage and compensation provided to the employees working in fireworks units.

During the previous hearing, the court directed the state to file a detailed report on suggestions to prevent the recurring accidents in fireworks units, following the major blast in a fireworks unit in Kattanarpatti village on April 19, which claimed the lives of 25 people.

The court was hearing a batch of petitions pertaining to compensation provided for workers in fireworks unit accidents, including a public interest litigation seeking a direction to the state government to constitute Tamil Nadu Fireworks Corporation to oversee and regulate the fireworks industry in the state.