Fireworks industry irked

The Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (Tanfama) ]said it would file a review petition in the Supreme Court after Diwali, following yesterday’s decision.

‘We will be filing a review petition in the Supreme Court after Diwali against its order banning the usage of Barium salts in the manufacture of firecrackers which would affect nearly 40 per cent of the industry’s production,’ K. Mariappan, General Secretary, Tanfama said.

He also questioned the time limit fixed by the apex court for bursting firecrackers, and said customs differ from state to state.

‘In Tamil Nadu, Diwali has been celebrated in the morning for several decades. People get up early in the morning, take oil baths, wear new clothes, eat sweets and ‘legiam’ [herbal jam] and then start bursting firecrackers,’ Mariappan said.

He said the industry may not be taking back the stringed crackers already sold and traders may suffer losses.

The 60 billion fireworks industry is concentrated in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. Nearly 90 per cent of the country’s fireworks production is done there.