HC directs Collector, SP to submit suggestions to DLSA Chairperson

The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday directed Virudhunagar Collector and Superintendent of Police to submit their suggestions to the Chairperson of the Virudhunagar District Legal Services Authority with regard to regulating the functioning of fireworks units in the district.

The Chairperson of the Virudhunagar District Legal Services Authority, in a communication, said pursuant to the court direction a gathering was convened on August 6 with officials from various departments to take effective steps to regulate the functioning of fireworks units in Virudhunagar district, so as to prevent accidents at the units.

The office-holders who participated in the meeting had submitted their suggestions. The Collector and Superintendent of Police were yet to submit their suggestions.

A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel directed the Collector and the Superintendent of Police to submit their suggestions to the Chairperson of the Virudhunagar District Legal Services Authority so that all the records can be forwarded to the court. The court posted the matter for hearing to September 1.

The court was hearing a batch of petitions pertaining to fireworks accidents in Virudhunagar district, including a public interest litigation petition that sought a direction to the State to set up Tamil Nadu Fireworks Corporation so as to oversee and regulate the fireworks industry. The petition had sought a direction to the authorities to implement a comprehensive policy to prevent recurring fire accidents and illegal production of fireworks.