SIVAKASI WEATHER
Customs to crack down on sale of Chinese fireworks

19-10-2014
19th October 2014

Courtesy: The Times of India

Customs to crack down on sale of Chinese fireworks

CHENNAI: Just a few days ahead of Diwali, customs officials are planning to crackdown on sale of Chinese fireworks in the city as the products are banned in the country. Surprise checks will be conducted at retail outlets and godowns and fireworks manufactured abroad will be seized.

The department has formed a special team to conduct checks at fireworks shops, said a statement from the office of the commissioner of customs (exports).

The move comes after intelligence inputs showed that smuggled fireworks of foreign origin containing hazardous chemicals were being sold in the retail markets. "As the imported fireworks are manufactured using dangerous and hazardous chemicals, they can ignite or explode spontaneously. This can cause severe accidents," said a customs official.

Union minister of state for commerce and industry Nirmala Sitharaman recently said the government would crack down on their sale. "The government has not given and will not give permission to import foreign firecrackers. It is illegal and has an adverse effect on the employment sector, especially in regions like Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu," the minister said.

In addition to small shops, huge retail outlets are being opened across the city ahead of Diwali on October 22. However, authorities do not have wherewithal to inspect all these shops for violations. Chennai customs is planning to step in to check violation of import rules.

Fireworks manufacturers in Sivakasi have been against Chinese firecrackers in the markets. They say Chinese firecrackers are being imported due to lack of clarity in policies.

Madurai bench of Madras high court has also directed the central government to conduct checks and control sale of imported fire crackers. The direction came following public interest litigation was filed by a resident of Sivakasi.

A public interest litigation filed before Madurai bench of Madras high court sought a direction to the union finance secretary to order inspection of all ports to seize illegally imported explosives.

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