Ruchika M. Khanna, Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, April 24. The Punjab Government is set to act against its officials for failing to check gross violations in the tragedy-struck Shital Fibres unit at Jalandhar. The role of four persons posted as Deputy Director, Factories, at Jalandhar between 2007 (when the unit became operational) till date is now under the scanner.
Factory owner Shital Vij is also likely to face resumption proceedings for the industrial plot on which the blanket-manufacturing unit stood before its collapse last week.
Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation officials said they will, however, wait for the inquiry committee headed by Lt Gen BS Dhaliwal (retd) to submit its report before initiating resumption proceedings against Vij.
Senior Labour Department officials said an explanation is being sought against the four Deputy Directors, Factories, as to why action should not be initiated against them, for failing to check how the unit was allowed to function without getting the mandatory licence of operation from the Labour Department and without getting its building and zoning plans approved.
“The role of these four officers is being questioned by the inquiry committee headed by the Jalandhar Division Commissioner.
The Labour Department will also seek an explanation from them for failing to check how the unit was running without a licence. It also did not have a building stability certificate whereas rules clearly state that no industry can begin manufacturing without it.
Though the onus of applying for the licences lies with the factory owner, the Deputy Director, Factories, should also check and ensure that all factories complete the mandatory formalities,” said a senior Labour Department official.
The Tribune had reported in its columns today regarding the gross building by laws violations by the factory owner.
Against a sanctioned height of 38 feet, the factory building had been raised to a height of approximately 42 feet, with the third floor having a tin roof. For over five years that this unit was operational, its building plans were never approved, nor did the factory owner ever submit a structural design plan. The built up area of the factory was 100 per cent of the size of the industrial plot.
