Lok Sabha Question No. 406 (STARRED), answered on 2021-03-24
Subject: Manufacturing of Fireworks
Ministry: COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
Asked by: Su Thirunavukkarasar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY DEPARTMENT FOR PROMOTION OF INDUSTRY AND INTERNAL TRADE

## LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO. 406. TO BE ANSWERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 24 TH  MARCH, 2021

## MANUFACTURING OF FIREWORKS

## *406.  SHRI THIRUNAVUKKARASAR SU:

Will the Minister of COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY be pleased to state:

वाणिज्य  एवं उद्योग मंत्री

- (a) the  total  quantity,  value  and  percentage  of  fireworks  manufactured  in  the country particularly from Tamil Nadu during the last three years;
- (b) the  details  of  fireworks  exported  during  the  said  period  and  the  amount  of foreign exchange earned therefrom;
- (c) whether there is reduction in the same over the years and if so, the details thereof, year-wise;
- (d) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  recent  and  frequent  incidents  of accidents  reported  in  fireworks  factories  resulting  in  a  number  of  casualties and serious injuries to work force engaged in the industry; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof for the last three years, year-wise and the steps taken by the Government to protect the industry

## ANSWER

वाणिज्य  एवं उद्योग मंत्री (श्री पीयूष गोयल) THE MINISTER OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY (SHRI  PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (e) OF THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 406 FOR ANSWER ON 24.03.2021.

- (a): As per Rule 24(3) of Explosives Rules 2008, fireworks manufacturers are exempted from submission of quarterly return of fireworks production.  Hence  the  information  on  the  total  quantity,  value  and percentage of fireworks manufactured is not maintained.
- (b) & (c): The details of Fireworks exported in last three years is given below:

| Year      | Quantity exported (kgs) (as per DGFT)   | Value of Exports (as per DGFT records)        |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|
| 2018-2019 | 57423                                   | 41,96,404.40 INR 58609 USD                    |
| 2019-2020 | 15686                                   | 23,33,730.40 INR 32594 USD                    |
| 2020-21   | 11500 (till December 2020)              | 81,46,290 INR 113775 USD (till December 2020) |

[Exchange  rate  taken  as  71.60  on  19.03.2021  as  notified  by  Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs]

- (d) & (e): Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organisation (PESO) and the concerned District Authorities are aware of the recent accidents which occurred  in  Fireworks  factories  in  Virudhunagar  Districts  Tamil  Nadu which resulted in causalities and injuries to workers. The total number of accidents that happened during last 3 years in fireworks manufacturing industries and compensation provided by the Government to the affected victims/families is as under:

| Year                |   2018-19 |   2019-20 |   2020-21 (till 23.03.2021) |
|---------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------------------------|
| Number of accidents |        16 |        14 |                           9 |

(Source: PESO)

The  District  Administration,  Government  of  Tamil  Nadu  has  given compensation as follows:

| Year    |   Number of Deaths | Amount       |
|---------|--------------------|--------------|
| 2018-19 |                  2 | Rs. 2 lakh   |
| 2019-20 |                 17 | Rs. 51 lakhs |
| 2020-21 |                 31 | Rs 70 lakhs  |

(Source: PESO and Government of Tamil Nadu)

PESO  and  District  Authorities  visited  the  accident  premises  and  the licences  issued  to  the  manufacturers  were  suspended.  Preliminary investigations has been conducted by PESO in last two accidents that have taken place at Sree Mariammal Fireworks Factory, Virudhunagar, Tamil  Nadu  on  12.02.2021  and  at  Thangaraj  Pandian  Fireworks,

Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu on 25.02.2021. Also, the District Magistrate, Virudhunagar has been requested to conduct Magisterial inquiry as per Section 9 of the Explosives Act 1884. Besides, the  Honourable National Green Tribunal Principal Bench, New Delhi has constituted a committee of experts under the chairmanship of Justice Kannan (Retd. High  Court  Judge,  Punjab  &  Haryana  High  Court)  to  investigate  into causes,  circumstances  and  other  factors  leading  to  the  accident  at Sree Mariammal Fireworks on 12th February 2021. The committee had visited the accident premises on 26-02-2021.

To  prevent  accidents  in  fireworks  industries,  PESO  conducts  regular inspection of licensed fireworks factory premises. During the inspection,  if  serious  violation  is  noticed,  penal  action  is  being  taken against  the  licensee  as  per  the  Explosives  Act,  1884  and  Explosives Rules, 2008. Further PESO has conducted safety awareness programs for various section of fireworks fraternity like foreman, factory workers, transporters  and  retailers  with  regard  to  safe  manufacturing  and handling of fireworks.

The details pertaining to number of inspections, suspension / cancellation  of  licence  and  training  programs  conducted  by  PESO Sivakasi for last three years is given below:-

|   S. No. | Details                                         |   2018-19 |   2019-20 |   2020-21 (till December 2020) |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|--------------------------------|
|        1 | No. of Inspection carried out by PESO           |       541 |       235 |                            398 |
|        2 | No. of Suspension of licence                    |        58 |        65 |                             47 |
|        3 | Cancellation of Licence                         |        10 |        10 |                             01 |
|        4 | No. of Trainings / Awareness Programs conducted |        42 |        51 |                             30 |

(Data source: PESO)

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