Lok Sabha Question No. 139 (STARRED), answered on 2016-05-03
Subject: Fire Tragedy
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: GAJANAN CHANDRAKANT KIRTIKAR, BIDYUT BARAN MAHATO

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*139

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 3 RD  MAY, 2016/VAISAKHA 13, 1938 (SAKA)

FIRE TRAGEDY

*139. SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR: SHRI BIDYUT BARMAN MAHATO:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  note  of  fire  incidents/tragedy  in various parts of the country including in Puttingal Devi Temple Complex at Kollam in Kerala recently, if so, the details thereof and the total number of persons injured/killed  during  the  last  one  year  and  the  current  year,  fire incident and State-wise;

(b) whether the Government has ordered any inquiry in this regard, if so, the details and present status thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  announced  any ex-gratia  for  those injured/killed as well as the family members of such victims and if so, the details thereof and the time by which the amount is likely to be released;

(d) whether the Government has deployed the National Disaster Response Force to assist in relief and rehabilitation of those affected by fire tragedy and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken by the Government to check such incidents in future including ban on public display of fireworks?

ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

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

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## STATEMENT IN REPLY TO THE LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.*139 FOR 03.05.2016.

(a) to (c): Fire Service being a State subject, State Governments maintain the fire  statistics  in  their  jurisdiction.  However,  the  Central  Government assists the State Governments, if required by the State Governments.

The  Central  Government  took  note  of  the  major  fire  accident  that occurred in Puttingal Devi Temple Complex  at Kollam, Kerala on 10.04.2016 at 03.13 AM in which 109 persons lost their lives including two women  and  two  children;  1197  persons  were  injured  out  of  which  8 persons are reported to be in critical condition in hospital as on date.

So far as the fire incident at Puttingal Devi Temple, Paravur, Kollam District is concerned the State Government has appointed a Commission of Inquiry on 21.04.2016 for making an inquiry into the circumstances and causes that led to the fireworks tragedy.  The Commission shall complete the  inquiry  and  submit  its  report  to  the  Government  within  six  months from the date of publication of this notification.  The Central Government (Department  of  Industrial  Policy  and  Promotion)  has  also  ordered  an …..3/

## L.S.S.Q.NO.*139 FOR 03.05.2016

inquiry  and  Dr.  A.K.Yadav,  Joint  Chief  Controller  of  Explosives,  Chennai has been appointed as the inquiry officer to hold an inquiry into the above accident.

The Prime Minister has announced an ex-gratia amount of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 each to the seriously injured  persons  from  the  Prime  Ministers  National  Relief  Fund.  The Government of Kerala has taken all necessary rescue and relief measures, which include shifting of the people to Government Hospitals and Private Hospitals  for  treating  the  injured,  measures  for  providing  health  care, setting up of relief camps and providing gratuitous relief including an exgratia amount of Rs. 4 lakh to the family of deceased persons.

(d): One team of NDRF comprising of 50 personnel including 02 doctors, 08 Para-medics were airlifted from Rajali Airbase, Arakonam, Tamilnadu at 1317 hrs on 10/04/2016 and was deployed at Trivandrum Medical College to  assist  hospital  staff  in  providing  medical  treatment  to  the  victims affected  by  fire  tragedy  in  Puttingal  Devi  Temple,  Kollam.  The  team attended to 45 victims of the tragedy there.

## L.S.S.Q.NO.*139 FOR 03.05.2016

(e): Government  has  already  prescribed  Safety  Norms  for  display  and storage of fire crackers and inflammable and sparking materials under the Explosive  Act  1884  and  Explosive  Rules  of  2008.    As  per  order  of  the Supreme Court the use of fire crackers is banned between 10 pm and 6 am.  The  Explosives  Act,  1884  and  Explosives  Rules  of  2008  apply throughout the country.

Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (PESO), Department of Industrial  Policy  and  Promotion,  Ministry  of  Commerce  and  Industry  has written  to  the  Chief  Secretary,  Government  of  Kerala,  Trivandrum  on 12.04.2016  requesting  him  to  prevent  reoccurrence  of  similar  type  of accident in future.

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