The Maharashtra government will chart its future course of action only after receiving a detailed investigation report into the tragic water tank burst incident at a solar module manufacturing unit in Nagpur. The accident, which occurred on Friday at the Avaada Group's facility in the Butibori MIDC area, claimed the lives of at least six workers.
Minister Stresses Safety, Awaits Probe Findings
Speaking to the media, Minister of State for Labour, Ashish Jaiswal, stated that the state is firmly committed to ensuring workplace safety and has already instituted various checks and balances. "I will gather more information through the department, but I think it will be best to wait for the investigation report on what exactly happened," Jaiswal said.
He emphasized that while the labour department conducts regular inspections of commercial and industrial establishments with a focus on human resources, accidents sometimes occur despite all precautions. "Our teams visit establishments, evaluate everything, and flag any discrepancies they notice. But it's true that despite all this, such accidents happen," the minister added.
The Role of Labour Department in Safety Enforcement
Under the existing administrative framework, the labour department is the key state authority responsible for enforcing labour laws and monitoring workplace conditions across industries. Its broad mandate includes:
- Oversight of industrial relations and worker welfare.
- Implementation of statutory provisions related to safety, health, and working conditions.
- Periodic inspections of factories and units to assess adherence to safety norms.
One of its core functions is inspection and compliance monitoring under various labour and safety legislations. These inspections aim to identify violations of prescribed safety norms, check the availability of protective equipment, and ensure corrective measures are taken where lapses are found.
Statutory Inquiries and Safety Framework
Industrial safety enforcement is also carried out through allied wings under the labour department, including agencies focused on factory safety and occupational health. These bodies examine hazardous processes, safety management systems, and accident prevention measures.
In the event of serious incidents like the one in Butibori, statutory inquiries are conducted to ascertain causes and fix responsibility as per legal provisions. The department's stated objectives include promoting safe and healthy workplaces, reducing occupational hazards, and ensuring employers follow mandatory safety practices through a combination of training, awareness programs, and regulatory inspections.
The state's response to the Nagpur tragedy now hinges on the findings of the official investigation, which will determine the specific actions to be taken against any lapses identified.
