No crackdown on erring cracker units in Kerala

KOCHI/THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:  Cracker units turn killers on and off in the state. But the deafening sounds emanating from exploding cracker units or the wailing of the injured or the kin of the dead have not awakened the authorities into taking any effective action. Safety is given the last priority in the cracker units  although district magistrates are authorised to take action against offending units.According to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), most of the cracker unit explosions are reported during February to May when atmospheric  temperature peaks. Huge quantities of crackers are made in this season of  temple festivals. “We have been sending  letters to Chief Secretary and Additional Chief Secretary that several cracker units are operating without safety norms. These places are vulnerable to explosions and accidents. Most of the temples in the state hold festivals during summer season and the volume of crackers manufactured during the season is very high. Moreover, in summer, a small spark would end up in catastrophic accidents,” sources in PESO said.“Fireworks  are made using potassium chlorate which is not permitted. Its usage is hazardous,” sources said.For the last several years, no units have been fined or their licences cancelled for lacking  safety measures. “In the last three years, 23 fire accidents were reported, but the cracker units have gone scot-free. Usually, only one type of cracker manufacturing is permitted in a unit. Most of the units manufacture 10 different items,” PESO officials said.