How is the government planning to rehabilitate fireworks labourers, questions Madras HC

Chennai

Taking into perspective the livelihood of firework industry labourers, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court has asked the government how is it planning rehabilitation for those workers.

The centre had banned fireworks for this Diwali sensing it might vitiate condition of covid patients.

Many states like Rajasthan, Delhi, Odisha and Karnataka implemented the ban.

Tamil Nadu CM took strong opposition to this policy saying that there is no 'empirical evidence' of fireworks worsening the condition of covid patients.

Voicing for the ailing fireworks industry he said eight lakh workers will be affected through this ban and that the raw materials used will check emissions.

However, with this ban looking to stay, the Bench asked both centre and state governments to plan an alternative industrial complex as a buffer in Virudhunagar and Madurai districts which are known as fireworks hub.

Madras High Court adjourned the hearing for December 4 seeking answers from Central and State Secretaries of Department of Industries.