Date:19/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/19/stories/2008101957440300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Dindigul

Warning against selling crackers without licence

Staff Reporter

DINDIGUL: Stern action will be initiated against shops that sell crackers without licence. Licensed shops should take all safety measures. Each shop should have five kg of dry chemical powder extinguisher, one cart load of sand and water, according to Divisional Fire Officer T. Muthu.

Talking to reporters here on Wednesday, he said that no objection certificate had been issued to 133 cracker shops in the district. Unauthorised sale of crackers on streets and on hand cart was strictly prohibited. Such crackers would be seized. The NOC will not be issued to shops functioning in thatched sheds. Crackers should not be burst between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. and cracker sound should not exceed 125 decibels, he added.

Fire tenders were kept ready in all fire stations to assist public in emergency. Two ambulance vans were also ready in Palani and Dindigul fire offices. An awareness campaign on safe bursting of crackers would be intensified. A seven-member committee will take care of campaign activities. In case of emergency, people may contact following telephone numbers for assistance: Dindigul fire office: 2426101, Vedasandur 260310, Palani 24299, Kodaikanal 240785, Nilakottai 233719, Batlagundu 262210, Natham 244449, Oddanchatram 240399.