Madurai:
Hit hard by large-scale import of Chinese firecrackers to the state, an association to protect fireworks manufactures in Tamil Nadu has offered a Rs 10 lakh reward to anyone giving information on shipping containers carrying firecrackers from that country.
"If a tip off is given about containers transporting Chinese fireworks Rs 10 lakh will be given; Rs five lakh for information on lorries transporting the fireworks and Rs two lakh for vans transporting fireworks," the Tamil Nadu Fireworks Protection Association said in a press release.
It said import of fireworks from China had badly affected the local industry in which thousands of people were employed and noted that some traders in Sivakasi were themselves importing Chinese fireworks.
On Apr 15, 843 units in Sivakasi,the hub of the fireworks industry in India, had observed a bandh in protest against the 'Chinese intrusion' and abnormal increase in explosives' license fee from Rs 15,000 to Rs four lakh annually and urged the Centre to immediately revoke it.