The Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has sought to know what action the state government has taken against fireworks units at Sivakasi which violated norms, leading to frequent accidents.
Justices S. Rajeswaran and T. Mathivanan, hearing a Public Interest Litigation, seeking compensation for the 39 persons killed and several others injured, asked the government to inform it about the action taken.
On September 5, 2012, 39 persons were killed in a fire at a fireworks manufacturing unit in Sivakasi.
The Additional Solicitor General said the factory’s licence had been cancelled based on a report of a commission constituted by the Centre. Other units which violated the norms had been issued warning notices, he said
The judges asked the ASG to find out if the units had implemented safety measures as per rules.
Hearing another writ filed by one G. Murugesan, whose son lost his limbs in the fire, the judges asked the ASG to ascertain if all the people had been given compensation.
The bench asked Dr. Pranab Nirmal of Sivakasi Government hospital and Subbulakshmi, Virudhunagar Collector’s Personal Assistant, to visit the hospital and assess his condition.
