Licence to sell: Day 1 gone in formalities, tricity traders’ refrain

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 17 

Cracker sellers had a tough time on day one of their three-day licence. While many could not put up stalls, other managed to do so only by the evening.

The UT Administration directed some traders to remove their tents, which were larger than the fixed size of 15 ft by 15 ft. Cracker sellers claimed they were not told about the size of the tents beforehand. And when they had pitched these, officials ordered their removal.

A total of 96 persons, whose names were announced through a draw of lots yesterday, were issued licences today. Since they had to complete formalities, there was a significant delay in setting up of stalls.

During a random check, it was found that no cracker stalls came up in Sectors 29 and 20 even as people turned up there to buy crackers.

“We got the licence at around 12 noon. It was not possible to arrange tents, water, sand, fire extinguishers and other things today itself. In the past, licences were issued 10 days prior to Diwali. This year, we have no time,” rued a cracker seller, not wishing to be named.

“We should have been issued the licence on the day the draw of lots was conducted,” added another trader.

ADC Rajiv Gupta, said, “We had opened the counter for issuance of licence at 8 in the morning. But most of the selected applicants turned up late. Many of them sent their acquaintances, whom we did not entertain. From tomorrow, licence holders found violating norms for selling crackers will be taken to task.”