'Inspections not mandatory for renewal of licences'

MADURAI: The Madurai bench of the Madras high court, hearing a public interest litigation petition pertaining to the October 20 blaze at a Sivakasi fireworks unit that claimed 9 lives, was told that the Explosive Substances Act did not make spot inspection of fireworks units mandatory for renewal of licence. The officials will see whether a necessary fee prescribed for renewal has been paid by the applicants.Once it is done, the licence will be renewed.
As per the court direction, joint chief controller of explosives (Chennai) A K Yadav and deputy chief controller of explosives K Sundaresan, Virudhunagar revenue officer C Muthu Kumaran and deputy superintendent of police Saravana Kumar appeared before the court on Tuesday. To the judge's statement that innocent lives could have been saved had officials carried out field inspection before renewing the licence,, counsel said there was no rule mandating an inspection before renewing the licence.
"Due to the lethargic attitude of the officials, nine people have died. But you, the officials both from the central and state governments, are shirking your responsibilities. Why should not the court order a CBI probe into the issue," the bench asked and directed the Trichy collector and police commissioner, and the Virudhunagar SP to appear before it on Wednesday.