Pharma unit was using outdated fire-control system, states report

Sanjay Bumbroo
Tribune News Service
Mohali, August 31

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The Fire Department here has issued a notice to the manager of Nectar Lifesciences Limited in Saidpura, Dera Bassi, which has been found using outdated fire-control system.

The Deputy Director, Factories, stated this in its inquiry report submitted to the Mohali Deputy Commissioner on Saturday. The report further stated that production was not allowed to start in the Oral-G plant where the blast took place. However, the production could be started in the rest of the plant, but with a rider, mentioned the report.

The report also stated that instructions had been issued to the firm to get the audit done to update the fire-fighting system as per the norms laid down by the National Building Code of India, 2016, so that deficiencies in the fire-fighting system could be removed.

The report reads: “It is pertinent to mention here that several fire accidents have taken place in your plant in previous years. So, you are instructed to submit the fire-fighting audit report within 15 days after removing deficiencies. You are also instructed to provide information regarding storage (with capacity) available in this plant, along with permission taken from the department concerned.”

The Deputy Director, Factories, in its report also stated that the management must ensure effective measure to avoid static charge, the probable cause of explosion in the Oral G plant. He also directed them to maintain vital parameters in the plant, apart from the security of employees.

According to sources in the Police Department, family members of two workers, who died in the explosion, have refused to make any formal complaint against any one following which no case has been registered regarding the death of workers.

In the inquiry report, the police said the family members of Anoop did not agree fot the post-mortem. Following this, the body was handed over to them for conducting last rites.

On August 24, a blast ripped apart the building of the factory leaving 16 injured. Later, two of the injured workers succumbed to their injuries at the hospital.

The report further stated that the factory management, in its declaration, has stated to adhere to the compensation, if any, as decided by the board and statutory compensation from government bodies like EPF, ESIC, Punjab Welfare Board and the management of the company will also provide the voluntary contribution.