Industry stares at ₹1,000-cr loss
BAN ON CRACKERS SALE Workers in Tamil Nadu question timing of court’s decision
CHENNAI: A Supreme Court ban on crackers in Delhi may clean up the capital’s air this Diwali but the decision is likely to choke the livelihoods of lakhs of workers in Tamil Nadu’s fireworks manufacturing hub of Sivakasi, which fears a loss of more than ₹1,000 crore and job losses.
Fireworks manufacturers in the tiny southern Tamil Nadu town, which accounts for 85% of all crackers sold in the country, say they are worried that other states might emulate the top court’s order.
“Diwali is the time we make maximum profits and the Supreme Court order will completely smash many units,” Asai Thmabi, president of Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association, told Hindustan Times.
He said there was no time to file for a review of the order as only 10 days are left before the festival will be celebrated.
“We cause pollution only for a week at best, but vehicles pollute the city 24 hours a day, all 365 days (in a year). What about that?”
Sivakasi has an annual estimated turnover of about ₹7,000 crore and employs more than 300,000 workers directly in factories.
Another 500,000 are engaged in related industries — packaging, printing, paper rolling transportation likes.
“We are worried about loss of jobs and livelihood options for people if firecrackers are banned in other cities too,” added Asai Thambi.
Sivakasi has been in the news frequently for itsdangerous working conditions, employment of child labour and a rash of accidents in unsafe manufacturing units, but the industry has thrived.
“Some NGO or other petitioner can spoil the Diwali of manufacturers by filing a petition in any court, citing the SC ban seek a similar order to prevent noise pollution and environmental pollution,” the Sivakasi manufacturers association said.
G Sivaraman, another small manufacturer, said that Diwali celebrations were part of the tradition and culture of people.
“How can the court disregard the fact that stopping use of firecrackers would hurt the sentiments of many people?” he asked.
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