After getting notice from NGT, many state governments including Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana have banned the sale of firecrackers in the state. Most of these states allowed the sale of green firecrackers initially which led to stocking by wholesalers and retailers, but as these governments have banned firecrackers altogether in a knee-jerk reaction, this would lead to a loss of lakhs of rupees to many small businessmen.
The firecracker manufacturers are already following the guidelines of the apex court and producing green products- which has already increased the cost- but the eco-fascist NGT, filled with elite Communists, does not care for the livelihood of the poor people. And, more importantly, the state governments across the political spectrum- Haryana (BJP), Delhi (AAP), Rajasthan (Congress)- are following the order from eco-faccist without any concern for thousands of poor firecracker factory workers, wholesalers, and retailers.
Firecracker manufacturers and sellers expressed shock over the governments’ decision to ban the sale as they have already built inventories and the ban means loss of their livelihoods. “The industry found it difficult to meet the precautionary measures to resume production. Our workers, too, risked their lives under the pandemic threat to produce the fireworks with the sole objective of keeping the people happy during the festival celebrations,” said Indian Fireworks Manufacturers’ Association (TIFMA) general secretary T. Kannan.
“The Environmental Protection Act states that any emission that gets dissolved in the atmosphere within 48 hours is not a pollutant. Studies have proved that fireworks are not all polluting,” he added.
However, the state governments are making firecrackers a big issue, as if all the health problems are caused by bursting of firecrackers for a day. “People should prepare that they may have to celebrate Diwali without firecrackers this year. The smoke from the firecrackers can cause breathing problems. They are also toxic, causing further issues for Covid patients. We need to ensure that we celebrate a firecracker-free Diwali this year. I am going to put forth a proposal regarding this before the chief minister and the state Cabinet,” said Rajesh Tope, health minister of Rajasthan.
Arvind Kejriwal, who has not been able to control the rising number of Coronavirus cases as the city touches new high with every passing day as of now when people are not bursting any firecrackers, said that the step is being taken to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. “Reviewed corona situation in Delhi and preparedness with Chief Secy, Health officials and all DMs. Corona cases have increased due to festival season and pollution. It was decided to: 1. Ban crackers in Delhi, 2. Ramp up medical infra, Oxygen and ICU beds are being increased in Delhi govt hospitals,” Mr. Kejriwal said in a tweet.
The manufacturers have already clarified that they are using any chemical that pollutes the environment, but the state governments have imposed blanket ban which would cost livelihood to millions. “We are not using any chemicals that pollute. Besides, the additives suggested by the National Environmental Engineering Institute were used to bring down the emissions,” said Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association Ganesan Panjurajan.
The fireworks industry in Sivakasi employs around 8,00,00 to 10,00,000 people, directly or indirectly with a mind-boggling turnover of about Rs. 60 billion. The ban which was rejoiced with brimming enthusiasm by the pseudo-liberals and pseudo-secular factions of the society has left the firework industry in Sivakasi in tatters.
Around 1,400 fireworks units in Sivakasi will go bankrupt if the decision of elite eco-fascists who are sitting in Air-conditioned rooms (Air conditioner gases are more harmful to the environment) office of NGT is not challenged. The whims and fancies of the NGT people cost livelihoods- sometimes life too- to the thousands of workers in firecracker factories and sellers.
No one is disputing the fact that environmental protection should be a topmost priority but depriving lakhs of workers of their jobs and livelihood is no way to go about it. A middle path for environment protection as well as safeguarding the jobs of these workers was needed.