SIVAKASI WEATHER
Dud it was this year, but will Sivakasi sparkle in 2015?

26-10-2014
26th October 2014

Courtesy: The Times of India

Dud it was this year, but will Sivakasi sparkle in 2015?

The units will restart work in another 10 days — for Diwali in 2015. Many manufacturers are apprehensive of the future, however.

Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (Tanfama) in Sivakasi has estimated that nearly Rs1,000 crore volume of fireworks stock is lying unsold in the town. "For years we have been warning the Centre about Chinese fireworks. We are feeling the full impact now," says A Mariappan, member of Tanfama. He adds that he had been noticing a decline in orders from north Indian dealers year over year due to Chinese fireworks. "When booking commenced last year, we could see that this year would be tough for us," he said.

The full impact would be known when the dealers finish their stocktaking. "After Diwali we will know the impact of Chinese fireworks when our dealers get back to us", says V Kesavan, proprietor of Nayagi Fireworks.

M Mahalakshmi, district secretary of Fireworks Workers Association, says that workers too are feeling the impact of Chinese fireworks. "We keep hearing from our workers that manufacturers are cutting back and their wages are decreasing. We are planning to make a proper study on the impact after Diwali," she said.

Cheaper Chinese firecrackers that use banned chlorates will remain a draw until the government ramps up its measures, says industry leaders. G Abiruban, president of Tanfama, says Central and state governments were proactive in announcing a ban on Chinese fireworks and district administrations came out with official statements explaining the ban. But follow-up action has been missing, he adds.

Tanfama has written to the ministry of industries and commerce asking that criminal action should be taken on people selling and storing Chinese fireworks. Seizure of fireworks and destruction along with prison terms for smugglers would send strong signals. "Only when they feel the pinch of stringent action, the people involved in importing and selling will avoid placing orders next year. Without that the ban will have no effect whatsoever," Abiruban said.

Mariappan stressed that the task is not difficult. And the right agency to do this is Petroleum & Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), which has the mandate to crack down on the use of banned chlorates. "With a wide network across the country and being in-charge of all explosives establishments, PESO has it in them to do this job. In two days, they can put a lid on Chinese fireworks," he said. "Inspecting fireworks warehouses under PESO control and initiating actions like revoking explosives licenses is all the department needs to do to wipe out Chinese fireworks from the country", he added.

A section of manufacturers is optimistic and sees Chinese fireworks as only the latest in a long history of challenges the industry has faced. "There is lot of creativity coming in through third-generation entrepreneurs from manufacturers families. In spite of struggles, Sivakasi has a tradition of innovation that has helped it to overcome challenges," says Rajasingh Chelladurai of Jumbo Fireworks.

For instance, old timers recall new noise pollution regulations in the 1990s that threatened to shut down the industry. But the enterprising manufacturers managed to set things right and came out with alternatives such as pyro and aerial fireworks.

Sivakasis entrepreneurs have diversified their business over decades, turning the town into a hub not just for fireworks but also for printing and calendar making. Sivakasi is known for its educational institutions too today. With some support from government, the industry may well overcome the Chinese challenge and move to the next level, say observers.

News & Events
top