New Delhi, Oct 10 (KNN) The Tamil Nadu government has moved the Centre demanding exemption for the fireworks manufacturing industry from various provisions of the environment protection rules.

This was required according to the state government to save the livelihood of around eight lakh people who work in the industry in the state.

State chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to direct the ministry of environment to carry out necessary amendment to Rule 3 (b) of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986, and exempt the fireworks manufacturing industry from various provisions of the Environment (Protection) Rules, 1986.

“As per the request of the Fireworks Manufacturers Association, an implead petition was filed by the department of MSMEs on behalf of the Tamil Nadu government. The case was heard last on August 28, 2018, and was reserved for judgment. The issue has to be sorted out immediately,” the state government said.

The manufacturers of fireworks have suffered severe financial losses and there has also been loss of employment due to imposition of ban on the sale of fireworks in the NCR during the 2017 Diwali season.

This has created fear and uncertainty among firework manufacturers. Workers of around 850 factories went on a strike from December 26, 2017, to January 19 this year, as they are unsure about the outcome of the pending PILs.

Tamil Nadu alone accounts for 90% of the fireworks produced in the country and has got 850 manufacturing units. The units are mostly located in Virudhunagar district.

In the recent past, the industry has been facing a major setback due to filing of PILs by a few NGOs and individuals before the Supreme Court to ban manufacture, sale and use of fireworks in any form.