CIC seeks data on fireworks licences cancelled after fatal accidents
The Central Information Commission (CIC) has directed the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) to provide data on fireworks licences cancelled following fatal accidents, after the explosives safety body said it had no information on the standard operating procedure followed in such cases.
Information Commissioner Khushwant Singh Sethi issued the direction while hearing an appeal seeking information on fireworks approvals, safety procedures followed after fatal accidents, accident reports made available for public awareness and licences cancelled after fatal accidents.
The Commission observed that the respondent had provided only partial information and directed PESO to furnish a revised reply covering the information sought.
On licences cancelled after fatal accidents, the Commission directed PESO to provide the “numerical value of the number of Fireworks Licences that were cancelled due to the Fatal Accidents, by finding responsibility on the part of manufacturers”, for the three years preceding the RTI application.
PESO had initially said “no information available” on the SOP followed after fatal accidents and referred to Rule 131 of the Explosives Rules, 2008. The commission directed it to provide the SOP or relevant rule as sought. The RTI application also sought the number of aerial and display fireworks products approved by PESO, permitted shell sizes and a list of factories and approved products.
During the hearing, the respondent submitted that a link to the list of authorised fireworks had been provided. The Commission, however, queried why the list of factories and approved products had not been provided. The respondent acknowledged that he had “missed out on answering the said point” and submitted that the sought list would be provided, according to the order.
The Commission also directed PESO to provide the numerical figure, if available, of combination fireworks products using various sizes of shells that had been approved.
On fireworks accident reports, the Commission directed PESO to provide a specific website link to the relevant reports, if available.
