HC asks for fresh report on fire mishaps in cracker units

Dissatisfied with reports given by authorities on reasons for continuing fire accidents at fireworks units in Virudhunagar district, Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has asked officials to file a fresh report with details that were lacking in the report submitted today.
The court, which summoned officials from the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation at Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district, District Revenue Officer, Fire and Rescue Services officials and Inspector of Factories, asked them to file an Action Taken Report on unlicensed units and units which violated safety norms from August 2013 till today.
A Division Bench of Justice R Sudhakar and Justice V M Velumani also asked officials to furnish details about the "burnward facility" at the local government hospital, road and infrastructure facilities. Details of compensation paid to the injured and the deceased have also been sought.

Stating that officials reacted only when there was a major accident,the judges said they should act when there was no incident and take steps to prevent such accidents.
When the officials said that awareness programmes were being conducted, the judges said, "That is not enough..You should take steps to curb the violations and ensure full security in the fireworks factories."
The court also strictly instructed the officials not to allow children to work in the factories.

"Treat them as your children..Will you allow your children to work..The children have their own dreams and ambitions and they should be allowed to study."

Referring to the prosecution's statement that there were 55 unlicenced factories, they said, "It shows the officials have allowed them to function" and asked the officials to take stringent action against the violators.
The judges posted the case for hearing on February 24.
The court was hearing a batch of PIL petitions.
While one of the PIL petitions was taken up by the court suo motu following a letter written by a woman law student to the high court judges, the others were filed by lawyers and others seeking compensation for the fire accident victims.
The court allowed the fireworks factory association to implead itself in the petitions.