HYDERABAD: This Deepavali season, firecrackers are sure to burn a hole in your pocket. As per the estimates of wholesale traders, prices have surged by a whopping 50 to 70 per cent this year. Retail prices are likely to be much higher, probably double of last year. Traders claim the steep rise in prices is due to the fall in production. The increase in fuel prices have also added to the cost.
Probably anticipating the Supreme Court ruling on the matter, the production of firecrackers was less in Sivakasi this year. Sivakasi, in Tamil Nadu, is one of the largest firecracker manufacturing hub of India. “Adding to this is the effect of the GST, which is at 18 per cent,” says B Sanjay Kumar, proprietor of Shanti fireworks.
The poor sales may be good for the environment, but is sure to impact several small-time traders who depend on this money. “The hardships involved in selling crackers has only increased from last year,” says vendor P Srikant. “I have been setting up stalls for 20 years now, but this time my worry is if I will break even. The main worry is the numerous permissions one has to get to set up a stall,” he says.
Green crackers! say WHAT?
In order to reduce air pollution during Diwali, the SC imposed a conditional ban on firecrackers, allowing only eco-friendly crackers to be burst within a two-hour window. But what are these eco-friendly crackers? None of the traders were aware of the eco-friendly crackers