<p>The multi-crore fireworks industry in Sivakasi was hoping for a relief from the Supreme Court, but the judgement delivered on Tuesday with regard to use of fire crackers has left the manufacturers worried about their future.</p>.<p>The court’s ban on use of a chemical known as barium nitrate has come as a bolt from the blue for fireworks manufacturers in Sivakasi, which accounts for 90% of fire crackers produced in the country. If the ban on the chemical is enforced, 75% of the products will have to be stopped since the chemical is a crucial ingredient in fire crackers, manufacturers say.</p>.<p>Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA), the parent body of fireworks manufacturers, is mulling moving a review petition before the court to lift the ban on the use of barium nitrate.</p>.<p>K Mariappan, general secretary of TANFAMA, told DH that the organisation would also seek the help of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) in moving the apex court. “We have no other option left before us. We will certainly move the court seeking to lift the ban. In this process, we will involve PESO and Tamil Nadu government. Barium nitrate is indispensable for the industry and we cannot produce a majority of the fire crackers without using the chemical,” Mariappan told DH.</p>
<p>The multi-crore fireworks industry in Sivakasi was hoping for a relief from the Supreme Court, but the judgement delivered on Tuesday with regard to use of fire crackers has left the manufacturers worried about their future.</p>.<p>The court’s ban on use of a chemical known as barium nitrate has come as a bolt from the blue for fireworks manufacturers in Sivakasi, which accounts for 90% of fire crackers produced in the country. If the ban on the chemical is enforced, 75% of the products will have to be stopped since the chemical is a crucial ingredient in fire crackers, manufacturers say.</p>.<p>Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA), the parent body of fireworks manufacturers, is mulling moving a review petition before the court to lift the ban on the use of barium nitrate.</p>.<p>K Mariappan, general secretary of TANFAMA, told DH that the organisation would also seek the help of Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) in moving the apex court. “We have no other option left before us. We will certainly move the court seeking to lift the ban. In this process, we will involve PESO and Tamil Nadu government. Barium nitrate is indispensable for the industry and we cannot produce a majority of the fire crackers without using the chemical,” Mariappan told DH.</p>