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The Supreme Court on Friday set aside the order of the National Green Tribunal awarding compensation to people who died and were injured on account of fire incidents at the Virudhunagar firecracker factory blast.

A bench of Justice AM Khanwilkar and Justice Dinesh Maheshwari said that, "We'll set aside this order and send it back for reconsideration, all concerned should be put to notice.

The petitions have been filed by the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA) and the state of Tamil Nadu challenging the order of the NGT stating the orders have been passed without making the affected stakeholders, parties in the matter.

The bench directed that, "The Tribunal shall issue notice to all the parties which may be affected by the order. We set aside the impugned order. The parties before this Court shall appear before the tribunal on February 14, 2022."

The NGT had taken suo moto cognizance over the issue on the basis of a media report published in ‘The New Indian Express' on February 12, 2021, titled “At least 19 dead in Virudhunagar firecracker factory blast, more than 30 injured” to the effect that in the process of filling of crackers with chemical 19 persons died and 30 persons (11 are women) critically injured in Nagpur-licensed Sree Mariyammal Fireworks-factory at Achankulam Village in Virudhunagar District at 01:30 pm on February 12, 2021.

Deciding the quantum of compensation the NGT observed that 27 persons have died and 26 injured on account of fire incidents which were result of unscientific handling of hazardous chemicals in violation of the law.

The bench while deciding compensation said, "we direct that the scale of compensation should be Rs.20 lakhs in respect of each of the deceased victims and Rs.15 lakhs to persons who have burns in excess of 50% and Rs.10 lakhs for persons who have burns from 25 to 50% and Rs.5 lakhs for persons who have injuries between 5 to 25%. Victims who were treated as outpatients and who had but minor degree of burns or other forms of simple injuries shall be paid Rs.2 lakhs."

Cause Title: Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA) vs State of Tamil Nadu and Ors.