Haryana govt orders inquiry into fire in fireworks factory

Rohtak, June 10 (UNI) The Haryana Government has ordered a magisterial inquiry to look into the circumstances leading to a fire in a fireworks factory here yesterday resulting in the death of five persons and injury to 13 others.

The police has registered a case against Subhash Kalra, the owner of Shri Raj Luxmi Fire Works under Sections 336 ,337 and 304 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 9 of the Explosives Act on a complaint lodged by Mrs Kamlesh, a resident of local Tej Colony.

Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today visited Pt B D S Post-graduate Institute of Medical Sciences here and inquired about the well being of the injured undergoing treatment in the institute.

He announced to give an ex-gratia of Rs 1.5 lakh to the next of kin of each deceased person and a financial assistance of Rs 50,000 each to the seriously injured and of Rs 10,000 each to those who had suffered minor injuries.

Mr Hooda also met the members of the families of the deceased labourers and expressed his heartfelt condolences. He assured them of all support by the state government.

The Chief Minister, who later interacted with mediapersons, said that on immediately getting the information of the fire in fireworks factory, he rang up the senior functionaries of the Delhi Government urging them to send additional fire tenders to control the fire. The fire tenders reached the spot without any delay and the fire was controlled.

Mr Hooda appreciated the relief operation conducted by the District Administration saying that its prompt action averted a major tragedy.

He said that the district administration would also bear the entire cost of treatment of the injured. He said that as most of the labourers hailed from other states, the Haryana government would bear its entire expenditure of their cremation. However, in case they desired to carry the mortal remains to their respective states, even then the Haryana government would bear this expenditure.

Mr Hooda made it clear that those found guilty in the magisterial inquiry would not be spared and stern action would be taken against them under the law. The inquiry would reveal whether preventive measures were being taken and whether prescribed norms for firework units were being adhered to.

The Chief Minister also visited the fireworks factory to see for himself the damage caused due to the fire. He also gave necessary instructions to the officers who were present on the spot.

UNI