Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has urged his counterparts in Delhi, Odisha, Rajasthan and Haryana to reconsider the ban on sale of firecrackers and allow sale of green crackers. MK Stalin has written to Naveen Patnaik (Odisha), Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi), Ashok Ghelot (Rajasthan) and Manohar Lal Khattar (Haryana) in this regard.
In a letter to his four counterparts, Stalin has requested them to allow the sale of firecrackers that falls within the norms set by the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in their states during this Diwali.
Citing the apex court’s order of allowing green crackers, Stalin said a blanket ban was not reasonable.
“Such a ban is not prevalent in other countries. Moreover, such a ban if imposed by other states also, would lead to the closure of the entire industry, jeopardising the livelihood of around eight lakh persons,” Stalin said in the letter.
“You would also appreciate that bursting of firecrackers is an integral part of Indian festivals, especially Diwali. A balanced approach that gives due regard to environment, livelihood and public health is possible and necessary,” the Tamil Nadu chief minister added.
Nearly 90 per cent of the country’s firecrackers are made in Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu and about eight lakh workers are dependent on this sector.
It should be stated here that a few days back, Stalin had written to Patnaik urging him to support the abolition of NEET. He had said that NEET is depriving a number of deserving candidates from getting admission into medical colleges. He had said that many aspirants are committing suicide after failing to qualify through NEET for admission into medical colleges.