Govt sets up panel to probe Dewas cracker unit blast

Bhopal: As the toll from deadly blast at a cracker factory in the Tokankala area of Dewas rose to five, the state govt on Friday announced the setting up of a single-member judicial commission to probe the incident.

According to a notification issued by the General Administration department, the commission will be headed by retired high court judge, Justice Subhash Kakade. The inquiry panel has been constituted under Section 3 of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952.

The commission has been tasked with examining the causes behind the blast and fire, fixing responsibility for negligence and reviewing the effectiveness of firefighting, rescue, medical assistance and disaster management measures during and after the incident.

The probe panel will also investigate whether safety norms, licensing terms and statutory provisions related to manufacture, storage and use of explosive materials were followed at the factory. Compliance with provisions of the Explosives Act, Factories Act, labour safety rules and other related laws will also be examined.

The commission has been directed to complete the inquiry and submit its report within a month from the date of publication of the notification in the Madhya Pradesh Gazette.