Licences of 181 violating fireworks units cancelled

MADURAI: As many as 181 cracker units in parts of Virudhunagar district have been prevented from producing crackers after they were found violating safety norms. All these units licensed under the Arms Act have been suspended citing gross violations, Collector J Meghanatha Reddy said on Monday.

He said the district administration imposed a strict crackdown on illegal manufacturing of crackers and fireworks. To check out violations, special teams comprising officials from departments of revenue, police, fire and rescue services and industrial safety and health were formed. The teams had been inspecting crackers manufacturing units, which exist mostly in parts of Sivakasi, across the district since January this year.

Further, he said a total of 492 units were found with some violations and show cause notices had been served on such units seeking their explanations.

Seven joint teams of officials are inspecting nearly 35 factories on a daily basis in the district to check violations, if any. Many cases were booked and fines imposed on violators. Further, the Collector said some licenses that were issued by the district administration and cancelled against violations have been revoked imposing corrective measures.