Fireworks makers send relief materials to dists

Despite closure and uncertainty over their future, fireworks manufacturers of Sivakasi have sent relief materials worth several lakhs of rupees to cyclone Gaja-hit central districts in the state. Fireworks manufacturers in Sivakasi have closed down indefinitely (from November 13) to condemn the Supreme Court order imposing stringent directions pertaining to manufacturing and lighting fireworks that will almost make it impossible to produce fireworks. On Friday, Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers' Association (TANFAMA) sent relief materials worth Rs 10 lakh to the affected delta region on five trucks. Trucks with rice, wheat, dresses, water bottles, biscuits, bed sheets, candles, tea packets, etc. were flagged off by minister for milk and dairy development K T Rajenthra Bhalaji in the presence of firework manufacturers. TANFAMA general secretary K Mariappan said that only those who lost their livelihood will know the pain of people like them. “Fireworks unit workers have lost their livelihood. We know that villagers in the delta are struggling without food. So some fireworks industries collected the relief materials in two days. We will try to collect more and send it,” he said.