TN: Show cause notices to 233 fire cracker units, 48 licences suspended

Virudhunagar: As many as 233 firecracker units in Virudhunagar district were being issued show-cause notice by the district administration for violations. Also, the licenses of 48 units were suspended so far, said R Raju, District Revenue Officer of Virudhunagar. In the wake of the fire tragedy at a cracker unit in Mudalippatti village near Virudhunagar that claimed 39 lives, the State Government intensified inspections of cracker factories located in the district.

Inspections were planned in 689 fire cracker units located in Sivakasi, Virudhunagar, Srivilliputhur, Aruppukkottai and Sattur. Special teams comprising officials of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Labour department, Fire and Rescue Services, Police, Revenue and Health departments were inspecting the cracker units from September 10 onwards. The teams covered 278 units till Saturday. Of these, 233 units were found not adhering to rules.

As many as 41 victims, who were undergoing treatment at the Sivakasi Government Hospital, have been discharged recently, leaving only two of the injured at the hospital. Dr Kathiresan of the Sivakasi Government Hospital said that only Balaguru of Sengamalappatti and Mariammal of Mettamalai were being treated at the burns ward of the hospital.

As many as 233 firecracker units in Virudhunagar were issued show-cause notice by the district administration.

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