NOC for Vettrivel explosives factory cancelled by District Revenue Officer

While the villagers have expressed satisfaction on the move which would pave way for the closure of the unit permanently, they said that they would never allow the factory to resume production. 

Though a temporary shutdown of the factory was announced soon after the tragedy, the villagers around the factory and the relatives of the 19 victims demanded to close down the units permanently as they had flouted a series of the norms. 

In support of their demand, the Explosive dealers Federation also met the district Collector KS Palanisamy and appealed to close down the factory claiming that the factory had violated several norms including housekeeping and safety measures. The federation had also demanded to cancel the NOC given to the factory which would subsequently pave way for permanent closure. 

Based on the investigations and the representations from various bodies, the district collector recommended the DRO K Tharpagaraj to withdraw the NOC given to the factory in 1998. 

Subsequently, in the evening, the district administration called on the family members of the victims to receive a compensation of Rs 2 50 lakh each given by the factory administration to 13 victims from Tiruchy district, Rs 50,000 to six severely injured and Rs 25,000 to eight persons with mild injuries. When Ministers Vellamandi N Natarajan and S Valarmathis distributed the cheque to the family members, they raised slogans against the factory and demanded the district administration to arrest the accused who were absconding. 

Later, the Collector intervened and assured to arrest the accused. He also said that the case is being investigated by the CB-CID and they have formed special teams to nab the culprits. The family members therefore calmly received the compensation.