The Modi government has decided to check Chinese invasion again — this time, into the Diwali firecrackers market, which has been hitting the firecrackers industry in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu hard.
The central government has asked the states to come down heavily on anyone selling Chinese firecrackers this Diwali as it is illegal. No import licences have been given to anybody, Union commerce and industry minister Nirmala Seetharaman told press-persons at the sidelines of a function organised by the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) on Tuesday.
The central government will also come out with an advertising campaign across the country to check the illegal sale of Chinese firecrackers. “We have sent letters to all the chief ministers, including Tamil Nadu, stating that it is the states’ responsibility to take action against illegal firecrackers.”
N Kannan, Sivakasi firecrackers manufacturers association treasurer welcomed the minister’s assurance and said “the firecracker manufacturers are very happy with the minister’s assurance of action”.
“It (imports of Chinese crackers) has never been legal. We have been asking for action for the past six months. At least this Diwali, the Sivakasi manufacturers will smile,” he said. Another association member said the situation had become alarming as Chinese crackers invading Sivakasi had endangering the livelihood of nearly five lakh people.
{{/usCountry}}“It (imports of Chinese crackers) has never been legal. We have been asking for action for the past six months. At least this Diwali, the Sivakasi manufacturers will smile,” he said. Another association member said the situation had become alarming as Chinese crackers invading Sivakasi had endangering the livelihood of nearly five lakh people.
{{/usCountry}}The central government decision’s to get tough on importers of Chinese crackers is a step in the right direction, he said.