NEW DELHI: Traders and shopkeepers in Delhi said their Diwali has gone up in smoke after the ban on all kinds of firecrackers and that they will face huge losses as crackers worth lakhs of rupees have already been stocked by them.
The traders and shopkeepers in Jama Masjid and Sadar Bazar areas, two of the biggest firecracker markets in the national capital, said that the stock was meant for brisk sale on Diwali, Chhath, Gurupurab and the upcoming marriage season.
“The police have stopped us from opening our shops which we had stocked with hundreds of kilograms of firecrackers. This is a seasonal item and will be worthless if not sold in next 1-2 months,” said a firecracker trader in the Jama Masjid area.
The traders said temporary licences were issued by authorities for up to 650 kg of firecrackers but normally they purchase 400-500 kg in view of safety and demand in the market.The permanent firecracker licensees can stock up to 1,000 kg or more, they said.
According to a Delhi Police officer, a total of 260 applications for licences were received. Out of them, 138 were issued licences on meeting all the requirements as prescribed by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation.