Cracker licence holders sub-letting kiosks: Assn chief

Neeraj Bagga

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 16

It is reliably learnt that those who recently got the rights to sell firecrackers in the retail market ahead of Diwali are reportedly subletting kiosks for a handsome amount.

Amritsar Fireworks Association president Harish Dhawan said allottees were engaged in deals with interested people, especially licensee firecracker dealers, to make most of the opportunity.

He said two kiosks were sub-let on Wednesday for over Rs 4 lakh each. Most of the lucky winners of the draw of lots were those who did not have any experience in the firecracker trade.

However, with a view to earn quick bucks they went for the draw of lots, which was like a godsend opportunity. This was the reason that against 480 applicants who had applied for the licence through the draw of lots before last Diwali, this time the number of applicants crossed over 1,200.

As per the norms, only 10 kiosks are to be set up this time and the Amritsar Improvement Trust handed over the possession letters to its allottees in lieu of Rs 28,000. They will have to shell out Rs 20,000 more to set up a kiosk.

There are 32 licence holders in the city dealing in manufacturing, storage and possession of crackers in addition to two Union Government licensed firecracker manufacturing units. Each of them is allowed to maintain nearly 1,500 kg of stock.

These traders with a fair experience in crackers will be able to sell firecrackers at their godowns situated in villages on the city outskirts.