Sivakasi fireworks tragedy, but whose fault is it?

07 September, 2012

The fireworks tragedy at the Mudhalipattiin firecracker factory in Shivakashi of Tamil Nadu should make us sit back and think about the lack of enforcement of fire safety laws in the country.

THE NEGLECT of laws, norms and rules is an equal culprit as much the slackness of fire safety laws by enforcement agencies. Though the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), responsible for enforcing the Explosives Act and the Petroleum Act, had suspended the factory’s licence but there was no follow up.

The voices that are heard are:

- That the law enforcing authorities had failed to ensure the shut down of the concerned factory immediately after suspension of its licence.

- That non-compliance with security and safety laws and regulations are overlooked by the local enforcement agencies since they could be getting a share of the easy money being made by the manufactures of fireworks.

- That even making of crackers at homes is overlooked which becomes common in months leading to Diwali, which is said to be peak season of the industry.

Many think that compensation, probes, arrests and investigations are a mere eyewash to perpetuate the status quo. In fact, the enforcement agencies needed to be held equally culpable and accountable.

Along with stringent fire safety laws for fireworks units, tougher enforcement of laws is required by the concerned authorities.