The explosion occurred on Sunday at the company’s detonator assembly plant in Raulgaon, Katol tehsil. Twenty-three people were injured, with 13 reported to be in a critical condition
Police have arrested nine directors of the company in connection with the explosion. Pic/PTI
Maharashtra minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday said that there was prima facie negligence on the part of SBL Energy Limited, where a powerful blast in Nagpur district of Maharashtra claimed 19 lives, reported the PTI.
The explosion occurred on Sunday at the company’s detonator assembly plant in Raulgaon, Katol tehsil. Twenty-three people were injured, with 13 reported to be in a critical condition.
Bawankule said that safety norms were not properly followed by the explosives manufacturer. He added that regulatory bodies — including the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), the Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health (DISH), and the labour commissionerate — had also failed to ensure compliance with safety standards in explosive manufacturing units in the region, as per the PTI.
He stated that accountability would be fixed not only on the company but also on officials of these agencies if lapses were found. A detailed report is expected within a month.
Arrests and legal action
Police have arrested nine directors of the company. The Kalmeshwar police have registered a case against 21 directors and shareholders under Section 105 (culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), according to the PTI.
The divisional commissioner, district collector and superintendent of police have been tasked with determining responsibility. If necessary, cases may also be registered against officials of the safety agencies, the minister said.
Compensation and rehabilitation
The company has announced compensation of Rs 75 lakh for the families of each deceased worker and Rs 25 lakh for the injured. In addition, the Centre will provide Rs 2 lakh and the Maharashtra government Rs 5 lakh to each bereaved family, taking the total compensation to Rs 82 lakh per family, the news agency reported.
A rehabilitation package will be prepared for those who suffered permanent disabilities in the blast.
Review of safety norms in region
Bawankule said he had discussed the matter with Union Minister Piyush Goyal, highlighting multiple blast incidents at explosives factories in Nagpur district over the past few years.
The divisional commissioner will prepare a comprehensive report on previous incidents and submit it to the Centre. The aim is to introduce necessary amendments to laws, frame proper standard operating procedures (SOPs), and prevent similar tragedies in the future.
Company shut, salaries to continue
According to the PTI, the factory has been shut following the blast. However, the management has agreed to continue paying salaries to employees until operations resume.
The minister said skill development training would be provided to unskilled workers, and only certified personnel would be allowed to work once the company restarts.
A wider inspection of skilled and unskilled labourers in industries across Nagpur district will also be carried out, he said.
(with PTI inputs)
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