Firecrackers verdict: Neither a bust nor a boom

Manufacturers and sellers of fireworks across the country, including those in the southern Tamil Nadu town of Sivakasi, heaved a sigh of relief on Tuesday after the Supreme Court refused to impose a blanket ban on the manufacture, sale and usage of fireworks. “At least 40% of the fireworks used during Deepavali are these types of colour and light-emitting products,” said K. Mariappan, Secretary, Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association. “If these products are banned, the industry would suffer.” Deepavali would not be complete for children, women and the elderly without sparklers, flower pots and ground chakras, according to A.S. Rajendra Raja, Secretary, The Indian Fireworks Manufacturers’ Association. “If these are banned, the very celebration will be affected,” said Mr. Raja, adding that many workers’ livelihoods were at stake as “there are over 100 units that are exclusively involved in making sparklers and other light-emitting products.” Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district, with 1,070 registered fireworks units in Sivakasi, caters to more than 80% of the fireworks requirements of the country. “With no nationwide ban on crackers, we have crossed the first barrier,” said Mr. Mariappan, adding that the uncertainty over the last two years had shrunk the industry’s output to about ₹4,000 crore, from ₹6,000 crore.