Firework industry stages protest rally to rescue livelihood of 8 lakh workers

New Delhi, Dec 21 (KNN) A procession of over 5000 employees of firework industry from Sivakasi and other parts staged a protest in front of Virudhunagar Collectorate premises earlier today to rescue the fireworks industry and the livelihood of 8 lakh workers who have been rendered jobless for over a month following a Supreme Court verdict on manufacture of green crackers.

The joint rally by the manufacturers, agents and workers was aimed at drawing the attention of the state and the Centre to the closure of 1,070 registered fireworks units in the district.

The Joint Action Committee for the Rescue of Fireworks Industry and Workers in its press release said “Delhi NCT and NCR which have turned as ‘gas chamber’ due to the smog from various perpetual pollutants have all been given a clean chit by the Bureaucrats and the Apex Court. But the honest fireworks industry has been slain, because it is easy to do so by strangling the supply channel through suspension and cancellation of fireworks selling licenses.”

Urging the government to exempt use of fireworks from the provisions of Rule- 3(3B) of Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, the committee said a resolution may be passed in the Tamilnadu Assembly for promulgation of an ordinance by the central government relating to exemption under Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, which is a ‘Central’ subject.

Only such Ordinance will help the Industry to open its factories immediately and give employment to its workers before disaster sets in. This is the only permanent solution that can be given to the fireworks industry, otherwise the industry will be haunted every year by PIL’s before every Diwali.

As a mark of protest, shops and establishments in Tirutangal and Sivakasi are kept shut down.