On Day 2, cracker sales up, traders pin hope on D-day

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 18

Sales went up on the second day at nine cracker selling points set by the UT Administration following a draw of lots.

Today, at almost all points, tents were erected by 96 persons, who were allowed to sell crackers. However, traders said the rush of people this time was less as compared with the last year. “Sales have started picking up. We hope to recover our losses to some extent,” said Devinder Gupta, president of the Cracker Shops Association.

However, the licensees rued that they had to pay the GST in advance and they did not know how much they were actually going to make through the sales. The MC also charged them for putting up stalls.  A tent caught fire in Sector 46 but the fire extinguishers prevented any damage.  

Few buyers in P’kula

Panchkula: The sale of firecrackers remained low in Panchkula. Traders were given licences at 4 pm on Tuesday.  Against 65 last year, this year, only 13 traders were given licences. 

“There is 50 per cent dip in the sales this year,” said Narinder Bansal of Madras Store. Raj Kumar, resident of Sector 14, Panchkula, has been selling crackers for the past 20 years. He blames the delay in the issue of licences for the slump.

“The number of players is less this year. The GST and the HC order have also brought the sales down,” said Sanjeev Kumar, resident of sector 4, Panchkula. There is 28 per cent GST on firecrackers. “The consumers will have to bear the GST due which they are purchasing less,” said Rinku Mittal, owner of a stall.  “There is less craze among youngsters. However, we are hopeful of good business due to less number of players.” said Anil Grover, owner of a stall. 

Sellers avoid site near Bassi Theatre   

Mohali: For the second successive day, cracker sellers did not set up stalls near the Bassi Theatre in Phase II. All the licensees had set up stalls at the Dasehra ground in Phase VIII. A total of 14 licences were issued by the administration through a draw of lots. However, about 17-18 stalls have come up at the earmarked site in Phase VIII. 

Cracker sellers deserted the Bassi Theatre site, saying that the spot was not frequented by customers. 

Sandeep Kumar, a cracker seller from Sohana,  said licences were issued late in the evening on Tuesday. “In two days, I expect to sell my stock of crackers. The administration should have taken the decision a couple of months earlier,” Jitendra Singh, another cracker seller, said.