Cautious optimism in cracker hub as production resumes today

But industry veterans said the situation would not return to normalcy, as there are several conditions that make it difficult for them to resume production immediately.

Though the State Government offered some relaxations like allowing cracker units to resume operations with 50 per cent of the workforce, it was unlikely that all units would restart, said several stakeholders.

According to Ganesan Panchurajan, president, Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA), Sivakasi, it would be very difficult to satisfy the conditions before resuming production. For instance, permission was granted to resume production in rural areas, but raw material stockyards were mostly located within Sivakasi Municipality limits where no work activity is allowed.

Another problem they have is the restriction on workers. Each product is finished in different stages – conventional crackers have four stages of production, while it is seven stages in the case of aerial fireworks. Each worker has her own skill, which means the 50 per cent restriction on workforce would make it difficult for the units, Panchurajan told DT Next.

Now, after the meeting convened by the district administration on Monday, the manufacturers are looking forward to fresh notifications offering some more sector specific relaxations.

The factory owners are also studying the mandatory condition of disinfecting premises and vehicles. “It would take about six to seven days to completely disinfect a factory. There are 1,070 factories in Virudhunagar,” he added.

For the cracker industry, the lockdown came at the most inopportune moment. Normally, traders from around the country place bulk orders for Deepavali in April. But this year, it has not happened because of the lockdown. Adding to their agony, even display orders have been cancelled. On an average, the industry here produces crackers worth around Rs 2,500 crores annually. But this year, it would only be a fraction of that, Panchurajan said.T Kannan, general secretary, Indian Fireworks Manufacturers Association (TIFMA), said the authorities have now given permission to take raw material supplies from municipal limits. However, he is foreseeing difficulties in engaging workers, who may not wait for their turn. He estimated that the production could be hit by around 25 per cent this year. Moreover, it was difficult to predict the business this year due to the lockdown uncertainty.

G Radhakrishnan, former president of TIFMA said normally traders would make advance payments for crackers in January, considered as off season. The finished goods are dispatched six months later. There are also traders who pay 50 per cent advance payment about three months ahead of Deepavali. But this year has remained dull so far, he said.

Echoing him, N Elangovan, general secretary, Federation of Tamil Nadu Fireworks Traders, said this year off season orders did not pick up in February and March.

Many are also running short of raw material. While aluminum powder could be sourced locally in Thirumangalam and Amathur, other key raw materials like potassium nitrate, cellophane paper and tissue paper are brought from Rajasthan, Agra (UP) and Kolkata (WB). “Adequate raw material could be sourced only when transportation is eased, he added. When contacted, Sivakasi Sub Collector C Dinesh Kumar said permit pass was being issued from Virudhunagar Collectorate based on applications for resuming production and also for transport vehicles.

Meanwhile, the stakeholders thanked the State government for announcing a dole of Rs 1,000 to each worker.