The regulatory compliance surrounding issuance of No Objection Certificates under the Arms Rules, 2016 must be strictly enforced by authorities to prevent production delays.

ORDER

This writ petition has been filed for the following relief :

“directing the 1^st respondent to instruct the district collectors / respondents 3 to 9 to accord NOC under Chapter VII of the Arms Rules, 2016 strictly within the time specified in Schedule V of the Arms Rules, 2016 by considering and passing orders on the petitioner's representation dated 10.11.2024 in light of the proceedings of the 2^nd respondent / Commissioner of revenue administration in Na.Ka.V.Ni.5(2)/U-12/17/22 dated

26.03.2025 within the time that may be stipulated by this Court.”

2. Three associations of Match manufacturers have filed the above writ petition. It is their contention that Tamil Nadu is the largest manufacturer of matches in the country and there are about 1156 match manufacturing units in the State of Tamil Nadu and around lakh of workers are employed in these units with a majority being woman with their strength constituting over 80% of the total work force.

3. The deponent to the affidavit would submit that the match stick consist of two important parts i.e., match head which is a mixture of Chlorates, Sulphur and the match splint. The match head is combustible in nature and qualifies as an ammunition under the Arms Act , 1959. The possession, usage and transport of such ammunition requires license and it should be in conformity with the regulatory safeguards prescribed under the Arms Rules, 2016. The petitioner would submit that for the purpose of manufacturing match sticks, they have to necessarily possess and transport Sulphur and Chlorates for their industrial consumption within and between districts. Chapter VII of the Arms Rules provides the regulatory norms regarding the transfer ammunition including Chlorates.

Rule 98 therein provides that Chlorates for bonafide industrial purpose can be transported without a license. However, the same would require a No Objection Certificate from the licensing authority at the place of destination. Schedule V of the Rules designates the jurisdictional District Magistrate / District Collectors as the licensing authority and as the authority who is competent to grant No Objection Certificate in terms of Rule 96 (2) (f) of the Rules. As per the Rules, No Objection Certificate has to be within two working days on receipt of the application. However, the petitioners would submit that these time schedule are not being observed and on account of the delay, production is being adversely affected. In fact the 2^nd respondent by his proceedings, dated 25.03.2023 had addressed the District Collectors and instructing them that a time limit prescribed under the Rules have to be complied. Despite such an instruction, there is little compliance of these Rules, the petitioner is before this Court.

4. Heard the learned counsels on either side.

5. The only relief claimed from this Court is that the 1^st respondent should issue instructions to the District Collectors arrayed as respondents 3 to 9 herein to adhere to the regulatory norms. Schedule V of the rules which is framed in compliance of Rule 16 at Serial No.14 talks about the grant of No Objection Certificate. The prescribed time period is two working days from the date of receipt of application.

6. Considering the fact that the request is only to follow the Rule of Law, this writ petition is allowed and the 1^st respondent is directed to issue necessary instructions and report compliance on 17.10.2025.

7. Post on 17.10.2025 for reporting compliance.