Peso Nagpur unit understaffed for checks at explosives facilities

Nagpur: Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (Peso) has only two officers in its Nagpur unit, leaving it too stretched to take up inspections at the manufacturing units here. Peso, which has mandatorily inspect a manufacturing facility before granting permission to start operations, is also expected to hold periodic visits to the units.There is no fixed period, and it is left to Peso to fix the inspection schedule depending on available manpower, said sources. In Nagpur, there are two officers for whom the priority is to finish the routine work first. Peso, which comes under the ministry of commerce and industry, has its headquarters in Nagpur. Apart from the head office at CGO Complex, its Nagpur unit is located at Gondkhairi where most of the manufacturing facilities are based too.
On the other hand, there are 48 facilities for which licences were issued. These facilities are held by five-six manufacturers.Under the rules, the chief controller of explosives can, at any time, test the raw material and ingredients of explosives. The rules say that after the process is complete, all the explosives must be removed immediately. The material must go for the next process or to the magazine — the premises where the explosives are stored. None of it can be allowed to remain in the building where any manufacturing process is undertaken, as even the waste must be removed.Initial findings after the SBL Energy Limited accident indicate that the explosives remained accumulated in the building where the blast took place.However, it is not only Peso that has the power to carry out inspections, sources said. The Explosives Rules 2008 say that even the executive magistrate or authorised police officials shall carry out inspections every 6 months of the magazines to ascertain if there is any violation in the Act. An assessment of whether enough security is provided at the magazines has also to be made. A report of the inspection is supposed to be submitted to the licensing authority (PESO), apart from the concerned district magistrate or the SP.Sources said not many reports were filed with Peso after such inspections by the police or district administration.Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Holi wishes, messages and quotes !