MANU/PIBU/0287/2017

Department/Board : Press Information Bureau

Date : 03.04.2017

Directives under Rule 126 of Explosives Rules 2008

A recent accident during display of fireworks at Paravoor, Kerala has brought out several discrepancies such as lack of effective enforcement of the Explosive Rules 2008 on the part of the district administration, use of unauthorized fireworks, viz. Amittus, Kuzhiminnal, Palm leaf crackers, multishots, gundus etc., use of unauthorized chemicals i.e. potassium chlorate in fireworks, unauthorized storage of fireworks at public display site and non-adherence of prescribed safety distances between display site and spectators, etc.

To prevent such incidents in future, there is an urgent need of tightening of enforcement of the Explosives Rules 2008 by District Authorities. For the same, following directives are issued under Rule 126 of the Explosives Rules 2008 to be implemented by District Authorities for safe public display of fireworks:-

(i) District Magistrate's office will be the single window for granting licenses in Form LE-6 of the Explosives Rules, 2008 for public display of fireworks. Application for license for public display of fireworks shall be submitted to the District Magistrate's office two months prior to scheduled date of display and if approved, permission will be granted at least one month prior to the display date;

(ii) District Magistrate may take appropriate decision on relaxation of timing for display of fireworks in the light of Hon'ble Supreme Court's order dated 26.03.2007 in the case of Prevention of Environmental and Sound Pollution Forum Vs Union of India and others [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 72 of 1998];

(iii) Only authorized fireworks approved by Chief Controller of Explosives shall be used for public display of fireworks (Rule 6 and condition 4 of licence in Form LE-6 of the Explosives Rules 2008);

(iv) For authorization of traditional fireworks viz. Amittus, Kuzhiminnal, Palm leaf crackers, multishots, gundus, etc. manufacturers shall apply to Chief Controller of Explosives, Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Nagpur as per Rule 6 of the Explosives Rules 2008, accompanied by particulars namely nature, composition, percentage of ingredients, dimensions, process of manufacture and performance characteristics of the fireworks. PESO will approve the fireworks within 10 days and after submission of fireworks samples, authorization will be accorded within 30 days;

(v) Storage licenses to store fireworks, if required, near the display site shall be taken from the Office of Deputy Chief Controller of Explosives, PESO at Ernakulam. The store house (magazine) should be shown in the drawing along with display site (Rule 71 and Schedule IV of the Explosives Rules 2008);