23rd May 2014

Courtesy: The Hindu

Sivakasi steps up fight against Chinese crackers

Customs officials promise to prevent import of Chinese goods.

Stepping up its fight against smuggled Chinese fireworks in the hub of Indian crackers industry, Tamil Nadu Cracker Industry Workers Protection Association has announced cash rewards of up to Rs.10 lakh for those giving information about the presence of Chinese crackers.

The unregistered association has pasted posters all over Sivakasi stating that any person providing information about a container load of Chinese crackers would be rewarded with Rs.10 lakh. Information about a truckload of the banned goods would fetch Rs.5 lakh and a van load Rs.2 lakh, say the posters.

The posters have come up against the backdrop of the association members seizing, with the help of revenue officials, Chinese crackers from a shop in Sivakasi in Virudhunagar district on May 14. “Till now, police have not arrested the accused and no investigation is made into the case to find out the seller and the importer of the goods,” association president N. Raja told The Hindu .

Mr. Raja, a cracker dealer here, said the association formed in 2012 had around 1,000 members — all workers in fireworks units, cracker shopkeepers and marginal manufacturers.

Alleging that some leading manufacturers were stealthily importing crackers from China, he said it would affect not only the manufacturers, but also around five lakh workers.

“We fear that some manufacturers are illegally importing cheap, unfinished Chinese goods and pack them to look like Indian fireworks. Some companies have orders for phenomenal quantity of crackers, though they have very few factories and limited number of workers. How do they meet their orders?” Mr. Raja asked. The association has also announced a cash reward of Rs.5 lakh for tip-offs about such units.

Asked how an unregistered association could promise huge rewards, he said some of the leading manufacturers were ready to support it to safeguard the industry.

President of Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association A.P. Selvaraj said the association could not take action against any members without proof.

He said the association would tip off about members if they imported or stocked Chinese crackers. Similarly, the association would not do any business with those involved in selling Chinese crackers.

Customs officials had promised to take all measures to prevent smuggling of Chinese goods, he added.