CPM state secretary P. Shanmugam on Tuesday voiced strong concern over the tragic explosion at a firecracker unit in Chinnakamanpatti near Sivakasi, which killed eight workers and left five others critically injured. The unit, located in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district, is privately owned.
Shanmugam extended condolences to the bereaved families and expressed solidarity with the injured. He blamed the rising number of such industrial accidents on poor enforcement of safety regulations, lack of regular inspections, and what he called “official apathy.”
“These accidents are not isolated. They stem from systemic failures,” he said. “The government must act with urgency by enforcing strict safety protocols, conducting regular checks, and holding negligent officials accountable.”
The CPM leader also criticised the State government’s announced ex gratia of ₹4 lakh for the deceased’s families, calling it “woefully inadequate.” Citing previous rulings by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), he demanded that families receive ₹20 lakh from the State and ₹10 lakh from the factory management, as per past directives.
Shanmugam noted that victims’ families, trade unions, and the CPM had staged protests in the past, urging the implementation of the NGT’s compensation framework. He urged the government to immediately enhance compensation and ensure advanced medical care for the injured workers.
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