Jalandhar gears up to celebrate Diwali; only 20 cracker stalls to be allowed this year

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, October 10

With the festival of lights less than a month away, the district administration has invited applications from interested parties and fireworks sellers to apply for licences to set up their vends at the Burlton Park in the city.

After gradual easing of restrictions following the subsiding of the deadly second wave of Covid-19 earlier this year, there is much commotion in markets ahead of the festive season.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Singh on Sunday said the interested applicants, willing to sell crackers at the Burlton Park, would be issued licences on October 21 by a draw of lots.

A three-member committee consisting of Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Singh, the ADC and the ACP (Licensing) will be reviewing applications and making the final decisions about the number and placement of vends to be allowed to put up shop at the Burlton Park.

In a formal declaration, he said anyone above 18 years, who wanted to get a temporary licence for a temporary firecracker shop at the Burlton Park (Jalandhar), could download the application form for the same from the website www.jalandharpolice.gov.in and two other links.

Forms downloaded are to be submitted to the arms licensing branch of the Commissionerate Jalandhar from October 11 to 14 between 9 am to 5 pm. The applications will not be considered after these dates, the administration declared.

A draw of lots for issuing licences will be held on October 21 at 4 pm at the Red Cross Bhawan in Jalandhar.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Jagmohan Singh said, “So far, only a draw of lots has been announced. Based on the number of people applying for licences, the future decision regarding the total number of vends to be put up at the Burlton Park would be taken. The time allowed for the vends to be set up, the duration of the sale of firecrackers, the decision with regard to the total number of vends to be set up at the Burlton Park will be taken by the committee when we know the number of applications that are in. We would be holding meetings in the coming days in this regard.”

Raghav Mahajan, member of the Bajrang Bali Fireworks’ Association, Jalandhar, said, “Our association has 60 members and we are looking forward to the allocation of licences. We are sticking to the process as per the guidelines, which have been issued in the previous years. After the gloom of Covid, everyone is looking forward to this. However, the total number of applicants will be clearer once requests have been sent.”

Draw of lots on October 21

• Anyone above 18 years, who wanted to get a temporary licence for a temporary firecracker shop at the Burlton Park, could download the application form for the same from the website www.jalandharpolice.gov.in
• Duly filled forms must be submitted from October 11 to 14 between 9 am and 5 pm and the draw of lots for issuing licences will be held on October 21 at 4 pm at the Red Cross Bhawan in Jalandhar