Sivakasi factories hit hard

Chennai: With Deepavali around the corner, cracker manufacturers in Sivakasi are facing challenges in marketing their products due to various factors.

Chinese crackers already imported into the country have reduced the sales of Indian crackers by 40 per cent, according to V. Ramamoorthy, manufacturer of Jubilant Crackers Pvt Ltd, Sivakasi.

Indian cracker manufactures lack incentives to export their goods to other countries. “Other than those manufacturers who have their individual outlets in foreign countries, none of us have the opportunity to export our products.

The government should help us. Even if we are willing to export, we do not have proper facilities to take it forward,” said Ramamoorthy, pointing out to the demands from the US and Nigeria for Indian crackers.

“For the last  15 years, Sivakasi Fireworks Association has been appealing to the Central government regarding the issue of exports. This year too, a petition has been filed for the creation of a separate ministry for the export of crackers so that there would be a structured format.” he added.

According to Mayank Kumar, Commissioner of Customs (Exports), Chennai, there has not been any export of crackers from Chennai this year.

Non-uniformity in the issue of licence to retailers to sell the crackers is another reason for the downfall of cracker sales according to the members of Sivakasi Fireworks Association.

“We need at least 15 days time for steady sales of crackers. There has to be a transparent method in the issue of licence  and that should be granted at least 45 days prior to Deepavali, so that retailers can be confident about their sales strategy and plan accordingly,” said Abiruben, president, Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers Association (TANFAMA).

“There are around 760 cracker manufacturing units in Sivakasi. But the demand is comparatively low compared to the production rate,” added Abiruben.