Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 06, 2007
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Saturday, Oct 06, 2007 ePaper |
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Tamil Nadu
Better regulation of the business is in prospect this season, writes L. Srikrishna. The business of selling firecrackers is expected to be better organised and regulated in the city around the coming Deepavali, the Madras High Court having indicated this week that retail cracker-sparkler merchants would not be allowed to stock more than 1,000 kg each. The court, which is considering a public interest litigation petition against the indiscriminate issue of temporary licences to retailers, made an oral observation that pavement shops selling crackers would not be allowed this season. About a year ago, the First Bench of the court had asked the authorities whether it was not possible to identify open areas or playgrounds to locate such shops during festivals. A detailed order is to be delivered shortly. Now the job is cut out for the enforcement agencies such as the Police Department and the Fire and Rescue Service Department to ensure that things are put in place. Merchants here are used to selling firecrackers on pavements in and around Parrys Corner during the festival season, raising questions about the safety of the neighbourhood. Though public-spirited persons opposed the practice and moved the court, nothing significant could be done on this front as such petitions were filed in the eleventh hour. But this year the authorities have a clear five-week period ahead of the festival and have sufficient time to give effect to the court orders and the existing rules and regulations, said G. Tamilselvan, a consumer activist. Authorities have started issuing applications for grant of provisional licences to deal in crackers and sparklers which would be valid for the season beginning mid-October and ending in December, officials said. Last year about 1,000 applicants had sought no objection certificates from the Fire Department, said Divisional Fire Officer V. Vijaykumar. About 15 conditions have been laid down. These include a stipulation that no inflammable items should be kept near the retail shop and that electrical wires be kept intact. A senior police officer said that only after inspecting the site would officers issue licences. The police would examine the plea made by the petitioners that firecracker sale be permitted only in open places like playgrounds. The officer gave an assurance that pavement sales would not be permitted. After Ayudha Pooja day, the police will conduct meetings with wholesale fireworks dealers to sensitise the need for a safe Deepavali, the officer said. Officers of the Fire and Rescue Services Department said they would conduct State-wide campaigns to highlight the risks involved in not handling firecrackers properly.
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