Luck fails office-bearers of cracker sellers’ body

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 16

A number of traders, who had been selling crackers for over a decade now and could not make it in the draw of lots for issue of temporary licence, were an agitated lot.

Even president, vice-president and general secretary of the Cracker Shops’ Association were unlucky and kept waiting for their names through the draw.

Some of the traders were in tears while some protested outside the place where draw of lots were held.

“We had earlier got fire and police verification done and obtained licence. But it all came to nothing. Who will bear the loss? For the last few weeks, we have been preparing stocks and have spent over Rs 2.5 lakh. That is all trash now,” they said.

“For the past several years, we have been selling crackers in Sector 41 every Diwali. We have been left out while newcomers in the trade, who did not even have police and fire verifications, have got the licence to sell,” rued Seema.

Balbir Singh claimed that he had been into the business for the last 18 years and bought the stock worth Rs 2 lakh.

Chirag Agrawal, general secretary, Cracker Shops’ Association, who failed to make it in the draw, rued that new names should not have been added. A total of 361 persons were given licenses earlier and now only 96 lucky ones can do business this year. It is a huge loss for us. We would try to convince them to buy our stock.”

Deputy Commissioner Ajit Balaji Joshi said, “As per the High Court’s order, the previous list was cancelled and a draw of lots was conducted. We will take action against those violating the norms over the next three days.”