In his letter to the union labour and environment ministers, DMK Parliamentary Party leader TR Baalu expressed ‘shock’ and ‘surprise’ at the sudden “unscientific’ and ‘unsubstantiated’ ban imposed on sale and bursting of crackers by Rajasthan and a few other states and said the unilateral ban would badly affect the prospects of fireworks industry as well as the employment scenario in Tamil Nadu, especially on the occasion of Deepavali.

 Seeking the “immediate personal intervention of the ministers to take necessary action to lift the ban on bursting of crackers on Deepavali” Baalu said that there would be a huge loss in personal income of workers as well as the firework industrial employers in case the states are not willing to lift the ban and allow bursting of crackers. Asking ministers to earmark fund to compensate the workers and fireworks 

industries, Baalu said, “As a welfare state, you will appreciate that it is the Indian government’s responsibility to protect workers against this kind of sudden ban, that too on occasion of Deepavali.” 

Drawing the minister’s attention to Supreme Court order allowing bursting of crackers for two hours on Deepvali day and manufacture of crackers in compliance with yhat order with low emission level and no poisonous or banned chemicals, Baalu said formulations for manufacturing fireworks have been recommended by CSIR-NEERI and duly approved by Central Pollution Control Board.

 “Neither formulation of crackers nor bursting of crackers has any evil effect on environment. So far, no concrete proof has come out that bursting of crackers is injurious and detrimental to COVID-19 patients,” the DMK leader said, asserting that fireworks in the market (90% from Sivakasi) have all aspects required for an eco-friendly environment.