TN fireworks industry seeks govt support

Chennai: The fireworks industry of Tamil Nadu, grappling with prolonged regulatory and market challenges, has stepped up efforts to secure policy support from the Centre to help revive the sector.

A senior representative of the industry said the sector has been passing through a difficult phase in recent years, impacted by tighter regulations, seasonal restrictions and reduced access to institutional benefits. In response, the association representing fireworks manufacturers has initiated discussions with senior government officials, including Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia to press for corrective measures.

According to the association, one of the core concerns is the absence of formal recognition within existing economic classifications.

Firecracker manufacturing units are currently not clearly included under the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) framework nor categorised within the corporate sector, limiting their access to government-backed subsidies, financial assistance schemes, and institutional credit. "Crackers are frequently labelled as dangerous and hazardous products, and this perception has affected policy support for the industry," the representative said.