No official check on sale of firecrackers in Mansa
The sellers of firecrackers in the city have ignored all the rules and warnings issued by the district administration. The administration had issued a circular on October 10 stating that the sale, purchase and bursting of crackers should be held in specified areas only. The circular clearly highlighted the previous incidents of fire and accidents due to illegal storage of firecrackers. The administration has declared six locations across the district where the sale of firecrackers is permitted.
The sellers of firecrackers in the city have ignored all the rules and warnings issued by the district administration. The administration had issued a circular on October 10 stating that the sale, purchase and bursting of crackers should be held in specified areas only. The circular clearly highlighted the previous incidents of fire and accidents due to illegal storage of firecrackers. The administration has declared six locations across the district where the sale of firecrackers is permitted.
However, it seems that all the warnings, inspections and raids have not resulted in an effective implementation of the law.
It has been found that over the last one week, the main market of the city is full of shops that are selling firecrackers without any official approval. “I have been selling crackers for the last one week. No one from the administration has either issued a warning or asked for any licence for the sale. All kinds of crackers are on the sale,” said one of the shopkeepers, who wished not to be named. The locals claim that laws can’t be implemented strictly in the festive season.
“If they try to stop the sale of firecrackers in the market, it may attract a lot of ire and criticism of the people and, in turn, will spoil the whole festive mood,” said Jagsir Billoo, a local Akali leader.
The administration, on the other, was found passing the buck. “I carried out an inspection and I am aware of the situation. I have asked the deputy superintendent of police (DSP) concerned to take care of it,” said SDM Rakesh Kumar.
Meanwhile, the deputy commissioner acknowledged that despite their best efforts, the administration has not been able to implement the law strictly. “I agree that the circular issued clearly warned and notified locations where the sale of crackers is permissible. But, the shopkeepers manage to give a slip to the law enforcing agency,” said Pravin Kumar Thind, deputy commissioner.