Fireworks industry to file review petition in SC
The Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association would file a review petition in the Supreme Court post Diwali. The announcement by the association came after the top court allowed bursting of only green firecrackers with reduced emission and decibel levels during all religious festivals, while deciding on a petition seeking ban on fireworks.
Firecrackers could be burst between 8 pm and 10 pm on Diwali, the court said.
Use of Barium salts in the production of fireworks, manufacture and sale of stringed crackers, along with its sale on e-commerce sites was also banned by the court.
"We will be filing a review petition in the Supreme Court after Diwali against its order banning the usage of Barium salts in manufacture of firecrackers which would affect nearly 40 per cent of the industry's production," said K Mariappan, General Secretary, TANFAMA.
He also wondered on the time limit fixed by the apex court for bursting firecrackers as customs differ from state to state.
"In Tamil Nadu, Diwali is celebrated in the morning for several decades. People get up early in the morning, have oil bath, wear new clothes, eat sweet and the `legiam' (or herbal jam) and then start bursting firecrackers," Mariappan said.
The festival is celebrated during the evening in North India, he said.
The industry may not be taking back the stringed crackers already sold and the traders may suffer a loss, he added.
"As there is a ban on stringed crackers, there will be illegal market for the same. It will be difficult to curtain the same," Mariappan said.
"The ban on stringed crackers will surely take out the Diwali thrill and would also impact the industry," said A Asaithambi, President of TANFAMA.
The 6,000-crore fireworks industry is concentrated in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu. Nearly 90 per cent of the country's fireworks production is carried in the state.
