Tamil Nadu government will not let down the labour-intensive fireworks industry and was taking all out efforts to protect it, said Minister for Dairy Development K.T. Rajenthra Bhalaji.
Addressing the first State conference of Tamil Nadu Fireworks Dealers’ Federation here on Sunday, the Minister said that 90% of the country’s requirement for crackers was met by Sivakasi cracker hub. “The first Prime Minister, Jawaharalal Nehru, who witnessed the labour of Sivakasi people, called it ‘mini Japan,’ he said.
The industry has been facing hurdles from time to time that have been thwarted by the fireworks manufacturers. “But, this time, some individuals have attempted to cripple this industry by going to the Supreme Court on the claims that fireworks were causing pollution,” Mr. Bhalaji said.
When the industry expressed its fear of over one crore people losing their livelihood owing to the present crisis, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami took it up with the Centre.
Mr. Bhalaji said when sale of crackers was banned in the National Capital Region during last Deepavali season by the Supreme Court, studies revealed that other pollutants caused more pollution in the NCR during the festival.
Superintendent of Police M. Rajarajan, District Revenue Officer K. Udhayakumar, fireworks manufacturers S. Maheswaran, A.P. Selvaraj, A. Mariappan, A. Asaithambi took part in the meeting.
