Prices of crackers go up due to restrictions

Archit Watts

Tribune News Service

Malout, October 22

After the High Court imposed restrictions on bursting of firecrackers in the state, the prices of firecrackers have gone up in the market by 25-35 per cent this year.

For instance, the firecrackers which were available last year at Rs 80 are now being sold at Rs 100-110.

There is a limited stock available as of now. Shopkeepers are fearing police action and waiting for some relaxation.

In the prevailing situation, though some shopkeepers have started the sale of firecrackers, they are overcharging.

A firecracker seller said, “We had stored some crackers in June-July. Now, there is a shortage in the wholesale market and the prices have gone up. Thus, we too have increased the prices. Further, the administration has not yet given approval for the sale of firecrackers.”

The district administration has informed the sellers that it would grant licence to sell firecrackers at some designated places only and that too on Gurpurb and Diwali.

In the Malout sub-division, four places have been designated for the sale of crackers. These include one each in Malout town, Panniwala Fatta, Lambi and Killianwali villages.

Just two places are earmarked in the Gidderbaha sub-division — one each in Gidderbaha and Doda.

Seven places are chosen in the Muktsar sub-division. These include four in Muktsar town, one each in Sarainaga, Bariwala and Lakhewali villages.

“The licenses will be issued on temporary basis for a fixed time, most likely for one day. The stalls will be set up at the designated places, where only the licence holder will be able to sell firecrackers. However, the administration may give any kind of relaxation in the coming days,” an official added.