Tamil Nadu Matchbox Units Shut Down Amid Raw Material Crisis, Affecting 5 Lakh Workers ** The matchbox manufacturing units in Tamil Nadu have announced a shutdown from May 12 to May 25 due to a severe shortage of raw materials and a sharp increase in their prices, which has rendered operations unsustainable. This decision has raised concerns about the livelihoods of approximately 5 lakh workers employed in the sector. The crisis is attributed to the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran, which have disrupted global supply chains and led to a surge in the cost of essential materials such as phosphorus, chloride, wax, paper, and plastic. The National Matchbox Manufacturers' Association (NMMA) has highlighted that the industry, which contributes significantly to Tamil Nadu's economy, has been grappling with a 80% rise in raw material costs. The association stated that the industry’s reliance on imported materials has been further strained by the Israel-Iran conflict, which has caused delays in shipments and inflated prices. Despite efforts to source alternatives, the sector faces an acute shortage of critical inputs, making it impossible to continue operations without incurring massive losses. Tamil Nadu’s matchbox industry is a vital part of the state’s economy, generating over ₹1400 crore annually through domestic and international trade. The sector has long been a cornerstone of small-scale industries, providing employment to thousands of workers, particularly in districts like Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli, and Madurai. However, the recent surge in material costs, coupled with the imposition of GST, has placed the industry in a precarious position. The NMMA has urged the government to intervene, citing the urgent need for relief to prevent widespread job losses.#tamil_nadu #madurai #virudhunagar #national_matchbox_manufacturers_association #tirunelveli
Sitting and former MLAs figure in AIADMK’s list of candidates in Madurai, Virudhunagar districts Melur MLA P. Periyapullan, also known as Selvam, has been re-nominated by the AIADMK for the 2026 Assembly polls in his Melur constituency, joining other sitting MLAs like Sellur K. Raju, R.B. Udayakumar, and V.V. Rajan Chellappa. Mr. Periyapullan previously won the Melur seat in 2016 and 2021. The AIADMK, which secured five of ten Assembly constituencies in Madurai district in the last election, is now fielding three former MLAs from the region. Among them is P. Saravanan, a former DMK MLA from Thirupparankundram, who was nominated for the Madurai North constituency. He had previously contested the same seat as a BJP candidate in 2021 and later joined the AIADMK, running for the Madurai Lok Sabha seat in 2024 but losing that contest. Other former MLAs include K. Manickam, who contested Sholavandan (SC) constituency, and I. Mahendran, who won the Usilampatti seat in 2006 on AIADMK ticket but lost it in 2021. The AIADMK has also nominated Mangulam K. Mahendran, its party advocate wing deputy secretary, for the Madurai East constituency to challenge DMK minister P. Moorthi. The NDA has yet to announce candidates for Madurai South and Madurai Central. In Virudhunagar district, former Srivilliputtur MLA M. Chandra Prabha, who was denied a party ticket in 2021, has been re-nominated for the Srivilliputtur (SC) seat. Intra-party conflicts in 2021 affected her electoral prospects, as the party preferred E.M. Manraj over her. While Manraj won in 2021 with a smaller margin, the AIADMK has now reinstated Chandra Prabha, replacing Manraj. The party also introduced new candidates in Virudhunagar, including industrialist V.G. Ganesan for the Virudhunagar constituency and S. Sethupathi, the Aruppukottai town secretary, for the Aruppukottai seat.#aiadmk #madurai #melur #virudhunagar #selvam
