CHENNAI: An advertisement campaign will soon be launched across the country on the illegality of Chinese fireworks and the penalties involved in selling them. With hoardings and posters both the traders and the consumers would be sensitised on this issue. Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Seetharaman said the Centre will take all possible measures to curtail the menace.
Taking note of the influx of Chinese-made firecrackers into the country, an issue that the Express has been highlighting, Seetharaman said appropriate agencies of the Centre will crack down on the smuggling in every way possible.
“The Centre has not given any permission for the import of any firecrackers. We are acting very seriously,” she said.
As part of the crackdown, the Minister said a series of posters and advertisements will be released to increase the awareness of the public. “We have taken immediate action on this. We already issued a public notice on Monday night and we will be issuing advertisements to make the public aware that selling illegal firecrackers in retail is a crime. This will be conveyed to the public without leaving any doubt,” she declared.
The Minister also said that letters have been sent to CMs of all States to take stringent action on law breakers. “The States’ have the responsibility to take action against illegal firecrackers since this is a Law and Order issue. We (Central government) will advertise under which sections the sale of these crackers will attract punishment,” she added.
In the public notice issued on Monday the Ministry had made it clear that imported firecrackers were illegal and urged the public to inform the police on the presence of illegal crackers in any retail shop. The government will also trace the source of the consignments and the ports through which they entered the country.