Tamil Nadu: CM Palaniswami Requests to Reconsider Decision on Cracker Ban

Tamil Nadu CM K. Palaniswami has requested Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and Odisha CM Naveen Patnaik to reconsider their decisions on the ban of firecrackers in their respective states. The CM, in a letter, stated that bursting crackers during Diwali is a part of people's 'cultural ethos'. He further cited the Apex Court's 2018 judgement, which allowed bursting of crackers for up to two hours considering the employment of workers in the industries. He mentioned that over 8 lakh direct and indirect employments are provided by the industry and it would be affected by banning the crackers. He also urged the governments to reconsider the decision as the state produces environment-friendly crackers, which produce fewer decibel sounds. He also noted that there is 'no empirical evidence' that bursting crackers have a harmful impact on COVID patients and has asked to review the decision.