NEW DELHI: The panic-struck fireworks and cracker industry of Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu got a major relief and boost following the intervention of the State unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
A delegation from Sivakasi representing the fireworks industry had a meeting with Union Commerce and Industries Minister Ms.Nirmala Sitharaman in New Delhi on March 2 to apprise her of the issues, demands and grievances in the context of safety norms prescribed for fireworks industry.
Their demands have been accepted and the Union Minster has promised to take steps for saving the Sivakasi industry. Safety norms will be decided in consultation with the fireworks and cracker industry representatives and the delegation was happy with the outcome of Delhi visit, party leaders said.
The industry has since long been expressing concern over the prescribed safety guidelines for cracker industry. On March 1, fireworks units downed shutters to protest against the guidelines issued in the name of safety to prevent fire accidents.
But, the BJP took up the Sivakasi issue at the national level with party and government. BJP State Secretary Prof.Dr. R.Srinivasan took constant efforts to resolve the issue under the guidance of Union Minister and party’s senior leader Mr.Pon.Radhakrishnan.
“This is a victory for the industry and people of Sivakasi. I am happy that the guidance of Mr.Pon.Radhakrishnan and the intervention of Ms.Nirmala Sitharaman gave positive result for the fireworks manufacturers. It is the BJP which took up the issue to New Delhi and resolved it and so it is a victory for our party also. I am happy to have put in efforts to save Sivakasi under the guidance of Union Minister,” an elated Dr.Srinivasan has said.
