Shimla DC sounds alert on sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali

Deputy Commissioner (DC) Shimla, Anupam Kashyap, today directed all Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) to ensure that no one sells firecrackers without a valid licence in the district and to conduct surprise inspections in markets selling firecrackers during the festival season.

He also directed the SDMs to make shopkeepers in their respective areas aware of the prescribed rules for selling firecrackers.

The DC said that the local administration must identify sensitive and highly sensitive locations. “Reports on law and order will have to be submitted daily during the festive season,” he added. The DC also directed the departments concerned to carry out surprise inspections regarding the sale of sweets during the festive season.

“Teams from the Food and Supplies Department will inspect wholesale and retail sweet shops. The quality of ingredients used in sweets will be checked as per standards. If any substandard food material is found, strict action will be taken against violators. The department will regularly collect samples from sweet shops. It is mandatory for sweet boxes to have a ‘Best before Date’, proper labelling, and correct packaging,” he said.

He instructed the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) to ensure the adequate availability of medicines in all hospitals so that no life is lost due to food poisoning. For public awareness, he reiterated that in the entire Shimla district, the sale, storage, or distribution of firecrackers without a valid licence is strictly prohibited. Surprise inspections will be conducted and violators will face strict legal action, including immediate seizure of unauthorised stock, cancellation of trade licences or registration of criminal cases. He also instructed all licensed vendors to strictly follow the conditions of their licences; otherwise, similar action will be taken against them. The DC has appealed to the people to purchase firecrackers only from authorised licensed vendors at designated locations.

“For a safe, peaceful, and environmentally responsible Diwali 2025, public cooperation is absolutely necessary,” he said. The DC further said that strict and exemplary action will be taken against anyone involved in the unauthorised sale or storage of firecrackers. Any untoward incident will be the sole responsibility of those involved in such illegal activities.