CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu government is developing a dedicated mobile application to expedite the licensing of fireworks factories, Industries Minister S Keerthana told the Assembly on Tuesday, saying delays of up to three years in obtaining licences were contributing to the growth of illegal units.
Replying during the debate on demands for grants for the Handlooms, Textiles and Khadi and MSME departments, Keerthana said entrepreneurs had to obtain clearances from several departments, and that licence renewals could take up to a year. "Because of the delay in obtaining licences, illegal fireworks manufacturing is taking place in some areas. Several measures are being taken to streamline the process, and work on a separate app for obtaining licences is at an advanced stage," she said.
The government was also taking steps to prevent accidents and introduce modern machinery to reduce workers' direct exposure to chemicals, she said.
AIADMK member OS Manian said delays affected fireworks retail shops as well and urged the government to simplify the licensing procedure.
DMK member KKSSR Ramachandran said safety norms governing the distance of fireworks units from residential areas and between factories should not be compromised while expediting approvals. "Online scrutiny alone cannot identify every issue," he said, stressing the need for physical inspections.
Keerthana said 177 fireworks factories had been issued licences without a fee, triggering objections from some DMK members. Leader of the House KA Sengottaiyan intervened, saying no individual had been referred to.
Labour Welfare Minister J Mohamed Farvas said inter-departmental inspections had delayed the issuance of licences to fireworks shops and assured the House that the process would be expedited.
DMK member CV Ganesan said the previous government had inspected fireworks units and closed more than 100 establishments for violations.