MK Stalin announces free education for children of firecracker accident victims

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has declared that the state government will cover the educational expenses of children who lost their parents in firecracker-related accidents.
This announcement was made following his visit to Virudhunagar district, a region with a significant number of fireworks manufacturing units.
The Chief Minister revealed that a special committee, appointed by the district collector, will oversee the implementation of this initiative to ensure the affected children’s education is fully supported. An initial fund of Rs 5 crore has been allocated to kickstart the program.
MK Stalin on Saturday directed officials to strengthen safety protocols in fireworks manufacturing factories across the state, emphasising the need for enhanced precautionary measures and insurance coverage for workers.
The DMK chief made these remarks during a two-day visit to Virudhunagar district, which is home to a significant concentration of fireworks units.
The district has long been at the centre of numerous fire-related accidents in fireworks factories, raising concerns about worker safety.
During his visit, the Chief Minister personally inspected several units to review safety measures and ensure compliance with regulations.
He reviewed the licence certificates held by factories, inspected storage areas where chemicals and explosive materials are kept, and toured the production sites and warehouses.
“This is probably the first time a chief minister of the state has visited the fireworks units to personally ascertain the status of safety measures in place,” PTI said while quoting an official.
In addition to safety measures, Stalin interacted with the workers, focusing on their welfare. He specifically enquired if women workers were receiving the state government’s monthly financial assistance of Rs 1,000, which is aimed at supporting low-income families.
Virudhunagar’s fireworks industry is a major contributor to Tamil Nadu’s economy, but it has also been plagued by frequent safety lapses and accidents, leading to concerns over working conditions.
As part of his review, Stalin also stressed the importance of providing insurance cover for all workers in the industry, further reinforcing the government’s commitment to their welfare.