As per information available, 588 out of 20974 factories, most of them handloom industries, were found functioning illegally as they don’t have registration numbers issued by the district administration. These factories are also fire prone as they are not equipped with fire extinguishers. Besides, electric wires were also found handing that may lead to fire accidents any time.

Admitting to the fact, Deputy Commissioner Mohinder Kumar said all 588 factory owners have been directed through individually issued notices to get themselves registered, failing which factories will be sealed. “We have received a good response as majority of factory owners have already applied for registration and 12,000 workers will benefit from PF and ESI facilities with the registration of these factories,” he said.

Talking to The Indian Express, the DC said these factories were found to be fire prone and had not got a zoning plan of their factories approved. These factory owners have also been directed to install fire extinguisher and to make provisions for a fast exit from where factory workers can make their safe escape in case of a fire, he said .

When his attention was drawn towards the fire that took place in wee hours of October 6 last year, in which nine labourers were burnt alive, Mohinder Kumar said an inquiry was conducted by the then Additional Commissioner, Amit Aggarwal, following which the Deputy Labour Commissioner and one labour inspector were suspended and action against electricity employees was being initiated by their parent departments.

He said during the inquiry, it was found that the fire took place because of short-circuiting as loose wires were found hanging at the spot.