The National Green Tribunal (NGT) took Suo Motu cognizance of the incident where 10 people were killed and several other sustained injuries in an explosion which took place in a firecracker factory in Tamil Nadu’s, Vembakottai area, Virudhunagar District.
The Petition is registered suo-moto on the basis of the news item appearing in the daily newspaper dated 18.02.2024.
The news item revealed that the blast was so strong that four buildings, in addition to the firecracker factory, were destroyed. As per the preliminary investigation, the incident may have occurred in the chemical mixing room of the factory.
The news item raises substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms.
“Power of the Tribunal to take up the matter in suo-motu exercise of power has been recognized by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the matter of “Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai vs. Ankita Sinha & Ors.” reported in 2021 SCC Online SC 897.”
Hence, the Principal Bench of Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Dr. A Senthil Vel impleaded the following as respondents in the matter:
i. Member Secretary, Tamil Nadu State Pollution Control Board (TNSPCB).
ii. District Magistrate, Virudhunagar.
iii. RO, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), Chennai.
iv. Petroleum and Explosive Safety Organization (Sivkasi)
The NGT deemed it proper to form a Joint Committee comprising of Member Secretary, TNSPCB, RO, MoEF&CC, Chennai, District Magistrate, Virudhunagar and Regional Director, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Chennai. The District Magistrate, Virudhunagar will act as coordinating agency.
The Committee will visit the site, ascertain the correct factual position, cause of accident and the compensation paid to the victims/family members of the victims and will submit the report within six weeks before the appropriate bench of the Tribunal.
Since the matter relates to the Southern Zone Bench, Chennai, therefore , the Bench transferred the matter to the Southern Zone Bench for appropriate further action. Office is directed by the NGT to transfer the original record to the Southern Zone Bench and the matter is listed on 22.04.2024.