SIVAKASI WEATHER
Livelihood of 5 lakh people at stake

28-09-2014
28th September 2014

Courtesy: The Times of India

Livelihood of 5 lakh people at stake

MADURAI: The Madras high court Madurai bench on Thursday observed that the arrival of banned Chinese fireworks into India will destroy the employment of five lakh people and affect their livelihood seriously. It further said that the issue should be viewed seriously and swift action must be taken on a war-footing by the officials.

About 800 fireworks factories are situated in Virdhunagar district and about five lakh people who are directly and indirectly involved depend on these industries.

The division bench of justices N. Kirubakaran and S Vaidyanathan which passed order transferring the Sivakasi Town police-s investigation of seizure of Chinese fireworks in Sivakasi on May 14, said the fireworks industry is valued at Rs 2,000 crores and it should not be allowed to be destroyed by banned fireworks.

The executive magistrate (collector) and police officials should carryout inspections as per Rule 128(4) of the Explosive Rules periodically, the judge said.

The court also took the note of various fire accidents that occurred in Sivakasi during manufacturing of fire crackers, which resulted in loss of numerous people and damage of property continuously.

"It is reported that about 300 people died in the last 10 years. Therefore, the deputy chief controller of explosives, Virudhunagar-s collector and its revenue officer should strictly oversee as to whether safety procedures to be adopted in the industry are followed by the companies, for which they should do periodical inspections," the order said.

The court also said that while manufacturing the fireworks, the workers have to deal with chemicals and they are continuously exposed to them which may cause many diseases including skin and respiratory.

Accordingly, the court directed the state-s home secretary and the above-said three officials to give appropriate directions to the Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association ( TANFAMA) to follow the rules strictly.


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