Edappadi Appeals to Odisha, Rajasthan CMs To Reconsider Firecrackers Ban

Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu Edapaddi K Palaniswami wrote to Odisha and Rajasthan Chief Ministers and urged them to reconsider their bans on sale of firecrackers in their respective states.

CM Edappadi in his letter stated that Tamil Nadu mainly produces green crackers and thus, no environmental pollution is said to arise. He further requested the respective states to reconsider their decision to ban sale and use of firecrackers as it gives livelihood to more than 8 lakh people.

Tamil Nadu’s Sivakasi is a famous firecracker producing hub and usually is in full swing around the time of Diwali every year. The firecracker ban across states like Delhi, Rajasthan and Odisha could hurt its Rs 6,000 crores firecracker industry.

In 2018, Supreme Court banning conventional crackers, ruled only ‘Green Crackers’ that emit fewer pollutants could be sold and used. In 2019 after the changeover to green crackers around 1000 manufacturing units in and around Sivakasi employing 8 lakh workers cropped up to meet the demand for green crackers, according to Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association data.

A sudden ban can jeopardize the seasonal businesses and livelihoods of lakhs of people in Tamil Nadu.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Government is also contemplating a state-wide ban on crackers. K Sudhakar, Health and Family Welfare Minister in Karnataka, has said that a final decision will be taken after consultations with CM Yediyurappa.