Firecracker traders seek review of SC curbs on fireworks

Firecracker traders staged a protest here Monday urging the state and central governments to file review pleas on the Supreme Court order imposing curbs on bursting of firecrackers within a specified time limit.

Over 1,000 traders from Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Karnataka and Maharashtra took part in the protest.

On October 23, the top court had allotted a two-hour duration for bursting crackers on Diwali and other festivals.

However, on October 30, it modified its order which had fixed 8 PM to 10 PM as slot for bursting firecrackers on Diwali and other festivals, saying that authorities in states are at liberty to change the timings but the duration will not exceed two hours a day.

The court was hearing a plea by the Tamil Nadu government which sought its nod for bursting of crackers on Diwali morning in accordance with the religious practices in the state.

"Livelihood of over eight lakh people involved in the industry is at stake now," K Mariappan of Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association told PTI.

"This would also mean all of them would be in the streets to protest in the coming days," he added.

Federation of Tamilnadu Fireworks Traders (FTFT) President V Raja Chandrasekar wanted the state or the Centre to file a review plea and appoint a counsel to fight for their cause.