Three more fireworks units were sealed by authorities here on Monday after they were found violating safety rules and regulations during an inspection.
Arvind Fireworks at Vetrilaioorani, Ramesh Fireworks at Kariseri and Durga Colour Matches at Gurumoorthynayakkanpatti were the units closed down on Monday by the authorities, who had on Saturday sealed three units for flouting safety rules.
The violations include using places other than sheds for mixing, filling and drying chemicals, using more than the permitted number of workers in the units, using excessive chemicals and employing children for work.
On Saturday, Ramakrishna Fireworks at Keezh Thiruthangal, Bass Fireworks at Vadamalapuram and Tirupathy Fireworks at Anaiyur were sealed.
So far, 19 of the 152 firework units in the district, inspected by five teams since April 29, have been found flouting safety rules and regulations.
Cases filed
Meanwhile, cases have been registered against 60 people for resorting to a road roko without prior notice here on Saturday.
The protest was staged when Minister for Information and Special Programme Implementation K.T.Rajendhira Balaji, Minister for School Education, Sports and Youth Welfare Vaigai Selvan and Minister for Labour and Employment S.T.Chellapandian arrived here for a consultative meeting with owners of cracker units.
On Friday, Superintendent of Police S.Maheswaran had issued a stern warning that owners of firecracker units which violated the rules and regulations governing manufacture of crackers would be booked under the Goondas Act.
Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa reportedly told Minister for Information and Special Programme Implementation K.T.Rajendhira Balaji, Minister for School Education, Sports and Youth Welfare Vaigai Selvan and Minister for Labour and Employment S.T.Chellapandian to look into the issue.
They decided to meet the owners of fireworks units. Subsequently, notices were sent to 800 manufacturers to attend a meeting at Jabose Kanjana Kalyana Mandapam in Sivakasi.
The owners assembled at the venue but suddenly blocked the Sivakasi-Virudhunagar Road and tried to exert pressure on the Superintendent of Police to withdraw his statement made the previous day.
The SP refused to relent and made it clear that the owners were free to attend or not to attend the meeting. It was then left to Mr.Balaji to persuade the owners to attend the meeting.
The Labour Minister minced no words in stating that the owners had no other option but to follow the rules. This assertion eased pressure on the officials concerned.
