Madhya Pradesh Home Minister Bhupendra Singh on Tuesday informed the Assembly that the Government is constituting a committee to ensure that incidents such as the blast in a firecracker factory in Balaghat District’s Khairi in which 26 people were killed does not recur.
“The committee headed by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) and comprising an Additional Director General of Police, two District Collectors and as many Superintendents of Police would submit its report to the dispensation in three months. Strict provisions would be incorporated,” said Singh.
He was replying to a supplementary by Hina lakhiram Kanwre of Congress during a calling attention notice moved by Govind Singh of Congress.
Kanwre suggested that the Government should fix responsibility of officials concerned and ensure that the Collector, the SP, the labour Officer and electricity officials inspect the site before issuing certificate rather than doing so on the basis of report of a junior official.
Singh said that he would include her suggestion for examination by the committee. likewise, he assured leader of the Opposition Ajay Singh that his suggestion concerning whether license for explosives should be issued in Naxal-affected districts such as Balaghat would be examined.
He said that a magisterial inquiry into the incident is underway and the report is likely to be submitted shortly.
According to information received thus far, all the terms and conditions for obtaining license were followed.
No-objection certificate from the gram panchayat concerned and transport-related permissions were obtained.
Singh said that main accused was arrested and booked under sections 286 and 304 of the Indian Penal Code for negligence in view of overstocking.