Plea to set up ‘Tamil Nadu Fireworks Corporation’ to oversee, regulate fireworks industry in Tamil Nadu
By The Hindu Bureau
Copyright thehindu
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday directed the State to file a counter affidavit to a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the government to set up a ‘Tamil Nadu Fireworks Corporation’ in order to oversee and regulate the fireworks industry in Tamil Nadu.
A Division Bench of Justices Anita Sumanth and C. Kumarappan were hearing the petition filed by C. Selvakumar of Madurai who sought a direction to the authorities to formulate and implement a comprehensive policy to prevent recurring fire accidents and illegal production of fireworks.
He also sought a direction to the authorities to take necessary steps to ensure the safety of the workers and the protection of the environment. Establishment of a ‘Tamil Nadu Fireworks Corporation’ as a State-run Corporation would be a transformative solution to the perennial problem, he said.
The corporation should be entrusted with key responsibilities like acquiring land and establishing dedicated industrial parks for the fireworks production to ensure safe, controlled, and well-regulated environment. Strict safety guidelines and mandatory practices should be enforced in collaboration with PESO and Tamil Nadu Fire and Rescue Services Department, he said.
The welfare of workers should be ensured by providing legal protection, insurance, and other necessary amenities. There should be mandatory compliance with the environmental regulations, ensure construction of sheds as per the specifications of the Explosives Rules, 2008, including strict adherence to wall thickness, door requirements, and material limits, he said.
Strict safety distances should be enforced between various operational sheds to prevent chain reactions in case of an accident. Essential facilities should be provided within the industrial parks, such as water supply, canteens, restrooms, medical aid, and fire services. A special inspection team should be formed to curb illegal and unauthorised fireworks production, he said.
The establishment of a State-run corporation would bring much-needed order, safety, and accountability to the industry, and also ensure that the livelihoods of the workers were protected, he said.
