Triggering concern among the organisers of various temple festivals, including Thrissur Pooram, the office of the Deputy Chief Controller of Explosives has issued a circular tightening the rules for fireworks display during temple festivals.
In a circular issued to the Chief Secretary, District Magistrates and District Police Chiefs, the Deputy Chief Controller of Explosives and the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) says that most temples in Kerala conduct fireworks display violating all provisions of the Explosives Rule 2008 and various conditions of the licence, jeopardising the safety of people and property.
“Competent authorities are not effectively controlling such public fireworks display and allow use of unauthorised fireworks... without maintaining the required safe distance and facility for storage of fireworks. If such a situation persists, there is every possibility of the recurrence of Puttingal-like accidents,” the circular says.
The circular points out that the district magistrate does not have the authority to provide licence for manufacturing amittu, gundu and kuzhimminnal. The manufacturers should submit a proposal to the PESO.
Festival organisers have been flouting rules though the PESO has issued guidelines on fireworks display for public safety.
The major requirements for the grant of licence for public display of fireworks are: use of authorised fireworks manufactured by PESO licence holder; fireworks magazine licence for storage at display site from PESO; a safe distance of 100 m all around the display site and 250 m from hospitals and schools; and onsite and offsite emergency plans.
No licence shall be granted unless all the provisions are complied with, it says. The fireworks manufactured under the permission of district magistrate will not be allowed.
