'Shut down all unlicensed fireworks units in Sivakasi'

Madras High Court today directed the Collector of Virudhunagar district, famous for fireworks, to shut down all unlicensed units in and around Sivakasi.
Justices S Rajeswaran and A Arumughaswamy of Madurai bench gave an interim direction on a PIL filed by one Anandhamurugan.
The Judges also asked the Collector to constitute a 10 member committee, comprising District Revenue Officer, two officers each from fire and rescue and police and explosives controller department, Inspector of factories and labour department to inspect all firework factories in the district.
They also directed the committee to inspect all licensed and unlicensed factories in Sivakasi and shut down unlicensed units without granting any time to them.

The Judges also said the Collector should implement the order without any delay, deal with the issue on an emergency basis and file a report on August 19
Anandamurugan, who filed the petition following the fire mishap in Om Sakthi Fireworks at Mudalipatti on September 5, 2012 in which 38 people were killed, alleged that government has reduced the number of casualities and injured for the purpose of providing compensation.
He prayed for appointment of an enquiry commission by a retired Judge. He also sought Rs 30 lakh as compensation to the families of the deceased, Rs seven lakh for the handicapped and Rs two lakh for the injured.