Kolkata, Nov 3 The West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee (WBPCC) on Tuesday urged the state government to ensure adequate safety arrangements, licensing and regulatory measures for the storage, transportation and sale of firecrackers ahead of Kali Puja and Diwali.
In a letter to Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari, WBPCC president Subhankar Sarkar flagged the potential risks associated with the handling and storage of firecrackers, particularly in densely populated residential and commercial areas.
He called for precautionary measures to prevent fire incidents, explosions and loss of life and property.
Sarkar sought to know whether designated firecracker clusters had been established across the state for storage, wholesale distribution and retail sale, away from densely populated localities.
He also asked whether manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers had been directed to obtain valid licences and comply with prescribed safety norms and statutory regulations.
The Congress leader sought details of the deployment of fire tenders, trained personnel, firefighting equipment and emergency response teams at designated firecracker markets and storage facilities.
He also asked whether the police, fire and emergency services and district administrations had inspected storage facilities to ensure that firecrackers were kept only in authorised premises and in accordance with safety regulations.
Expressing concern over the possible illegal manufacture, transportation, storage and sale of unauthorised or prohibited firecrackers, Sarkar sought to know what steps had been taken to prevent such activities, particularly in congested residential areas.
Sarkar also sought information on measures to ensure compliance with directions issued by the Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal and West Bengal Pollution Control Board regarding the sale and use of permitted firecrackers.
He urged the state government to clarify whether specific instructions had been issued to district magistrates, superintendents of police and commissioners of police for district-level monitoring and enforcement of safety guidelines.
Sarkar also sought details of a comprehensive state-level safety and monitoring plan, including the number and locations of designated firecracker clusters across the state.
(PTI News)
