Only eco-friendly green crackers will be permitted during this year’s Diwali celebrations. The move comes amid rising concerns after 32 people died in 13 factory explosions in Sivakasi this season alone.
While the demand for certified “green label” fireworks has increased, manufacturers have also raised prices. Companies are competing to introduce new fancy fireworks this year, such as hand-lit sparklers, underwater fountains, and multi-burst aerial shells.
Sivakasi’s firework industry recorded ₹10 crore in sales in Kerala last year. However, traders allege that while authorized dealers accounted for only ₹1 crore of sales (with 18% GST paid), the remaining ₹9 crore worth of fireworks were sold illegally, evading taxes.
