Illegal cracker sale rampant in Mohali

Akash Ghai

Tribune News Service

Mohali, October 15

The illegal sale of crackers is rampant in several parts of the district. The administration has not issued any licence in this regard so far.

During a random survey of the area, including Kharar and Kurali, a team of The Tribune found several cracker sellers doing business openly without any fear.

Shops were seen packed with crackers, displayed even outside the premises, at Kharar and Kurali. People were seen purchasing crackers to light up their Diwali with fireworks. Nobody from the police and the administration was seen around to check the illegal business.

“We have an ‘understanding’ with the police and the authorities concerned; we have no fear of any action,” said a shopkeeper dong brisk business at Kurali.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued orders restricting the timings for bursting crackers and reducing the number of licences for the sale of crackers in a bid to check pollution. 

The illegal sale of crackers has raised a question mark over the functioning of the authorities’ concerned.

“Crackers are being sold openly in Mohali and the authorities are virtually sleeping over the issue,” said a shopkeeper in the main market at Kharar.

Since the business is being carried out in the open, the police and officials must be hand in glove with the cracker sellers, alleged the shopkeeper. Similarly, the sale of crackers is on in Kurali, one of the major wholesale markets of crackers in the region. The market caters to hundreds of small-time cracker sellers and customers from several towns, including Mohali, Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Ropar, Sirhind and Baddi.

“Kurali sees a cracker business of hundreds of crores every year and businessmen here invest huge amounts in the trade every year. With Diwali just days away, we are left with no choice but to start the business or suffer huge losses,” said a trader selling crackers at Kurali.

Another wholesale dealer said the court and the authorities should have taken the decision on the sale of crackers at least two months ago to “save” their business.

Only 2 applications for licences 

The Mohali administration, which has earmarked 17 sites for the sale of crackers in Mohali district, has just received two applications for the issuance of licences so far. Last year, the administration had issued 90 licences. “All those licences have been cancelled this year,” said Charandev Singh Mann, Additional Deputy Commissioner. The draw of lots for the issuance of licences for cracker sale will be held on Monday at 5 pm at the Mohali Deputy Commissioner’s office.