Exploded cracker unit had no licence, says PESO

KOCHI: The fireworks manufacturing unit which exploded on Sunday at Vakathanam in Kottayam district was operating without the necessary licence, an investigation into the incident has revealed. The Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) officials who examined the blast site found that owner of the cracker manufacturing unit Sajumon had the licence to sell fireworks but not for manufacturing them.K Sundaresan, Chief Controller of Explosives, PESO, said: “We have checked the documents with the owner of the unit and they clearly state that he was only permitted to sell the fireworks. An official with the PESO who visited Vakathanam on Wednesday told Express that the fire display items were manufactured there without any safety gear. “The unit was functioning for the last six years on a two- acre land in Vakathanam. Large amount of explosives were manufactured and stored in a small shed with a tarpaulin roof.” PESO officials also question the claim of the district administration and the police that they were unaware of such a large unit  functioning illegally for the last six years. “All people in the area knew that the unit had no licence but the officials failed to take any action. The report prepared by us will be sent to the magistrate and action would be taken against all those who were responsible for the fatal incident,” the PESO official said.