The Cabinet has decided to hold a judicial inquiry into the conduct of the fireworks display at Puttingal Devi temple at Paravur which claimed 106 lives.
Briefing the press about the deliberations at an urgent Cabinet meeting held at the Guest House here on Sunday afternoon, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that former High Court Judge Krishnan Nair will probe the incident. The terms of reference of the inquiry will be finalised soon.
Additional Chief Secretary, Home, Nalini Netto has been entrusted to look into the preparation of the terms of reference. Directions have been given to submit the probe report within six months. The Paravur police have registered a case and it would be probed by the Crime Branch. Cases have been registered as per the provisions of the Explosives Act and also Section 304 of Indian Penal Code, causing death by negligence. The government would examine the guidelines in force for the conduct of such fireworks display. Amendments would be made to the guidelines to add more teeth to it, after a thorough review. Steps would be taken to ensure that the norms are enforced stringently to avoid such incidents in future, he said.
The meeting decided to give a relief of Rs.10 lakh to the kin of the deceased, Rs. 2 lakh each to the seriously injured and Rs.50, 000 each to those who sustained minor injuries. The government would also give relief to the local residents whose houses have been damaged in the impact of the explosions.
The government would bear the treatment expenses of all those who have been hospitalised. The victims have been told that they could get admitted in any hospital and the government would bear the treatment cost. A team of doctors had reached Kollam and helicopters too were ready to airlift patients to Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi, if needed, he said.
Asked whether the government would take steps to ban such fireworks display conducted as part of religious festivals, Mr.Chandy said that it was an emotional issue and could not be banned only be regulated. The government cannot afford to allow anyone to act in a wanton manner risking the life of the innocent, he said.
He also lauded the police, Fire and Rescue Services and the public who participated in the relief operations.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, Health Minister V.S.Sivakumar, Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash and Labour Minister Shibu Baby John attended the urgent Cabinet meeting.