17th April 2014

Courtesy: Web India

Fireworks factories withdraw indefinite strike

After a 12-day ordeal, fireworks manufacturers in Sivakasi have withdrawn their indefinite strike and resumed production today.

All the 800 licensed fireworks factories, affiliated to Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA) have resumed production activities this morning, TANFAMA President A.P.Selvaraj announced.

The fireworks factories in Sivakasi region went an indefinite strike on April five last to protest against an order of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry that unilaterally revised various fees, including the license fee. The Director of Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion in a notification, dated March 20, 2014 stated that fees payable by the fireworks industry would be revised under the Explosives Rules, 2008 and as per the new notification, the revision of fees was increased from about five to 27 times, paving way for the import of Chinese crackers.

The TANFAMA observed a day-s bandh and hunger strike in Sivakasi on April 15, which was supported by 36 trade bodies and associations.