Pune: The sale of firecrackers has dropped this year, much to the dismay of firecracker shop owners, who have said that the government and judiciary should first move to limit production of units before imposing restrictions on bursting of firecrackers.
Many shopkeepers in the city are claiming that sales this year have dropped by half. Balaji Tambe, a firecracker shop owner at Golibaar Maidan, Swargate, said, “Each shop has firecrackers worth Rs 3 to 4 crore. Every year, we experience a profit, but this year, we are facing losses to the tune of more than half our investment.”
They also pointed out that a 28 per cent GST slab for big firecrackers has added to their woes. Vikrant Amrale, President, Pathaka Dealer Welfare Association, said, “Rates of firecrackers like multiple shots, multiple arial shots and big garlands has increased roughly from 8 to 10 per cent due to the 28 per cent GST slab. But the rates of small firecrackers like sparklers, flower pots and small rockets has not changed.”
Traders said that heavy rain has also slowed down business and increased chances of crackers getting damaged because of moisture. “Small dealers invested a lot of money in stocking up firecrackers and the government has collected all their taxes. If the government is serious about reducing bursting of firecrackers, they should ban production of units first,” Amrale added.
Fund crunch jeopardising fire safety precautions?
- There are no fire brigade vans at the open grounds where firecracker stalls are set up.
- According to Prashant Ranpise, Chief Fire Officer of Pune Municipal Corporation, if these stall owners at open grounds want more safety precautions in place, they need to pay Rs 24,000 for 12 hours.
- “We have shortage of manpower and we have issued NOCs to shop owners, in which we have mentioned precautionary measures. If they want a fire brigade van, shop owners have to pay charges for the same,” Ranpise added.
