Admin keeps vigil on fireworks business

ALLAHABAD: To check fire accidents at firecracker manufacturing units and cracker shops in the wake of Dussehra and Diwali festivals, joint teams of police and district administration are enforcing strict norms.
While district authorities will be issuing temporary licenses to firecracker manufacturing units and shops after police verification, joint teams headed by sub divisional magistrates and deputy superintendents of police have been formed to check sale and storage of explosive material used in production of firecrackers.
The 2011 Mauaima blast which claimed several lives proved to be an eye-opener for police and district authorities who began to check strictly illegal manufacture and storage of explosives. Police investigations into the explosion showed that over 5,000 persons were engaged in the crackers manufacturing business in the block as demand for firecrackers made in Mauaima was high in eastern up and adjoining states.
Following the blast, police had too seized illegal explosive material brought for manufacturing crackers. Firecrackers like flowerpots, crude bombs and sparklers were seized from nearby spots.
This year, police and district authorities are leaving no stone unturned to ensure safe and peaceful festive season and are geared to check the stock of dealers before the festive season and teams have been maintaining a close watch. District authorities have also made it clear that dealers must follow directives or face action. Only licensed traders would be allowed to set up shops/units at spots identified as accident-prone and safety violations will be dealt with strictly.
Cracker shops will not be allowed to be set up near residential complexes and traders will have to follow security measures as listed under the Fire Explosives Act. Retail shops will be allowed only in specific areas.
District police chief Mohit Agarwal told TOI "Joint teams of police and district authorities have been entrusted to check storage or production of crackers and teams would be checking the stock registers as well."
The storage of crackers in populated areas will not be allowed and fire department will examine safety aspects of an area before giving NOC for setting up firecracker shops.
Reports claim there are only 18 units that have obtained licence to manufacture firecrackers in Mauaima, the hub of cracker manufacturing units in the state and Harisenganj localities. Police learnt that most of the households in Mauaima block are engaged in the business and families are unmindful of the risks involved in the trade.
As per estimates, illegal crackers worth Rs 100 crore are manufactured in the region during Dussehra and Diwali. The fireworks industry provides employment to over 10,000 people. Almost every house in Mauaima is said to be involved in manufacturing crackers, especially during Diwali.
In the last five years, property worth several lakhs of rupees got damaged in fire and several persons lost their lives in explosions at illegal cracker manufacturing units in the district.
District magistrate Raj Shekhar said "Senior officials would be keeping check on stock registers of cracker manufacturers and stockists and added there would be adequate fire fighting arrangements.