Blast at Bengal's Illegal Firecracker Factory Exposes Bypassed Regulations
Click to start listening
Synopsis
A recent explosion at an illegal firecracker factory in Patharpratima, West Bengal, has highlighted the evasion of strict regulations on fireworks manufacturing and sales. Investigations reveal a troubling lack of oversight from local authorities despite previous infractions by the factory's operators.
Key Takeaways
- The illegal firecracker factory explosion in Patharpratima underscores the evasion of strict regulations.
- Chandrakanta Banik's prior arrest raises questions about police oversight.
- The factory operated with a basic trade license, lacking proper permissions.
- Multiple incidents in recent years show a pattern of negligence in monitoring.
- Authorities' promises of action often lead to temporary measures rather than lasting solutions.
Kolkata, April 3 (NationPress) The recent explosion at an illegal firecracker factory located in Patharpratima within the South 24 Parganas district of West Bengal has exposed how strict regulations concerning the production, storage, and sale of fireworks were evaded.
Initial investigations indicate that Chandrakanta Banik, one of the two suspects, attempted to secure a “green licence” for firecracker manufacturing in 2023, but his application was rejected by the district administration due to his previous arrest for illegal firework trading.
This raises serious questions about how district police were unaware of a person like Banik operating an illegal firecracker manufacturing business from his home, especially after his “green licence” request was denied.
It is crucial to note that police verification is a fundamental part of the process for granting or denying the green licence.
Current findings reveal that Chandrakanta and his younger sibling, Tushar Banik, were illegally managing the manufacturing and distribution of firecrackers from their residence at Patharpratima.
They accomplished this by acquiring a regular trade licence from the local panchayat, which did not authorize them to manufacture firecrackers.
Concerns are mounting over how many more illegal firecracker production facilities are currently operating in West Bengal, circumventing guidelines that are otherwise quite stringent on paper.
According to the ‘West Bengal Green Firecracker Manufacturing, Storage and Selling Scheme’, the District Magistrate can grant permission for the purchase of firecrackers or fireworks weighing up to 15 kgs for commercial sale.
For purchases between 15 kgs and 500 kgs, permission must be obtained from the Controller of Explosives. Any request for amounts exceeding that must come from the Chief Controller of Explosives.
“While the regulations are designed to ensure the safe production of explosives, the frequency of explosions at these illegal factories in West Bengal raises concerns regarding the actual monitoring of compliance with these norms,” remarked a senior state government official who requested anonymity.
In recent years, West Bengal has repeatedly made national headlines due to tragic incidents resulting from illegal firecracker factory or warehouse blasts.
In February of this year, four individuals lost their lives and numerous others were injured in an explosion at a firecracker factory in Kalyani, Nadia district of West Bengal.
In 2023, a similar incident claimed the lives of nine people at an illegal firecracker factory in Egra, East Midnapore district.
Furthermore, there were explosions in Budge Budge in South 24 Parganas and Duttapukur in North 24 Parganas districts over the past few years, resulting in multiple casualties.
Following each incident, authorities promise strict actions against such illegal firecracker operations. Police raids may occur for a brief period, but eventually, operations return to normal, allowing illegal firecracker manufacturers to resume their activities.
