New Delhi [India], September 13 (ANI): Amid the Supreme Court deliberations on a potential nationwide ban on firecrackers, Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Friday voiced opposition, warning that such a move would destroy livelihoods and allow illegal Chinese products to dominate the market.
“The call for a nationwide ban on firecrackers is heartbreaking It is not just about celebrations – it is about the lives of lakhs of families in Sivakasi & across India who depend on this industry for survival,” Tagore wrote in a post on X.
Clarifying that he is not defending “toxic crackers,” the Virudhunagar MP said his demand was for the promotion of green fireworks.
“We are not defending toxic crackers. We are fighting for Green Fireworks – certified by CSIR-NEERI as safer & cleaner. A blanket ban will kill jobs, while illegal Chinese products will take over the market,” he added.
Tagore noted that the Sivakasi fireworks industry contributes over Rs 6,000 crore annually, with more than eight lakh workers employed directly and indirectly.
“The fireworks industry contributes over ₹6,000 crore annually, with exports also beginning to grow. More than 8 lakh workers (majority women) are directly & indirectly employed. This is not just business, it is the backbone of Sivakasi’s economy. A ban means shutting the doors on small-scale units, destroying livelihoods, and handing over the market to smugglers,” he added, urging Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to consult with Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal to “protect both livelihoods and environment.”
Earlier on Friday, the Supreme Court questioned why the blanket ban on firecrackers should apply only to Delhi-NCR and not the entire country, saying it is the right of all citizens to have pollution-free air.
A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran orally expressed the need to explore a pan-India ban on firecrackers. The right to pollution-free air is for all citizens and not just those residing in Delhi-NCR, observed the bench.
“If citizens in NCR are entitled to pollution-free air, then why not people of other cities? Just because this is the capital city and the Supreme Court is situated in this area, it should not mean only they get pollution-free air,” the bench said.
CJI Gavai further added, “I was in Amritsar last winter, and the pollution was worse than in Delhi. Whatever policy has to be there, it has to be on a pan-India basis. We can’t give special treatment to Delhi because they are elite citizens of the country. If firecrackers are to be banned, then let them be banned throughout the country.”
The bench asked Centre to seek a report from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on the issue and posted the matter for hearing on September 22. (ANI)