Sivakasi fire: 33% cracker units don't have licence

Madurai: As many as 33 per cent of all crackers units in Virudhunagar district function illegally, especially ahead of Diwali, sources said on Wednesday. These firecracker units engage unskilled workers through the contract system and sell crackers through brokers, who supply it to other parts of the country.

“These companies operating illegally produce sub-standard crackers, but they are packed under brand names of big companies. It is later transported to other states like Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh,” said a police source. During the Diwali season, groups of people from Sivakasi go to cities like Bangalore and sell these unbranded crackers through roadside outlets. In some cases, brokers allegedly ship these crackers to different countries due to high demand and Sivakasi’s brand value.

It is a well-entrenched illegal network with various business groups involved in printing, packing and transporting the crackers. “Reports also say such illegal companies operate in the Sivakasi revenue division,” a police source said.

As many as 33% of all crackers units in Virudhunagar district function illegally, especially ahead of Diwali.

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