Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin expressed his gratitude to Union Minister Piyush Goyal for imposing a ban on the import of parts for pocket cigarette lighters, calling it a crucial step towards protecting jobs in the matchbox industry and reducing plastic waste.
In a post on X, CM Stalin said, “Thank you, Hon’ble @PiyushGoyal, for fully accepting my demands by banning single-use plastic cigarette lighters under Rs20 and now restricting the import of parts for cigarette lighters. This welcome move strengthens Tamil Nadu’s matchbox manufacturers, safeguarding over a lakh jobs and reducing harmful plastic waste.”
Thank you, Hon’ble @PiyushGoyal, for fully accepting my demands by banning single-use plastic cigarette lighters under ₹20 and now restricting the import of parts for cigarette lighters.
This welcome move strengthens Tamil Nadu’s matchbox manufacturers, safeguarding over a… https://t.co/HeGVlzp8ot
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) October 14, 2024
On October 13, the Department of Commerce imposed restrictions on importing parts for pocket lighters. According to a notification from the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), “Import of parts of pocket lighters, gas fuelled, non-refillable or refillable lighters (cigarette lighters) is restricted with immediate effect.”
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In another post, CM Stalin shared a letter he had sent to Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, urging him to take action against the import of cigarette lighters. “The matchbox manufacturing industry is a major source of employment in the southern part of Tamil Nadu. It is a traditional industry that employs over a lakh people directly,” the letter stated.
“The industry is going through a difficult phase currently. It is facing stiff challenges from Pakistan and Indonesia in the export markets. The supply chain disruptions following the COVID pandemic have increased the cost and logistic difficulties associated with exports,” the letter added.
In his letter, CM Stalin also urged the Union Minister to implement strict measures against the import of lighters from Pakistan and Indonesia. “I, therefore, urge your urgent intervention in this matter and I request you to immediately ban the import of such single-use plastic cigarette lighters and also to take stringent action against illegal imports,” the letter concluded.
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