The Krishna district administration’s decision to deny permission for selling firecrackers at Swaraj Maidan (PWD Grounds) for Deepavali has kept retailers on the edge.
In response to applications filed by Sri Sai Hanuman Vijayawada Retail Fire Works Dealers’ Association, Vijayawada Retail Fireworks Dealers’ Association and Sri Vijaya Durga Firecrackers’ Welfare Society, the Krishna district Collector’s office in a letter informed that the request for allotment of stalls at PWD Grounds cannot be considered. The office didn’t give any reasons for denying permission.
The administration apparently denied permission because of the ground’s proximity to Chief Minister’s camp office. Officials felt if permission was given for stalls then chances of causing damage to helipads that were constructed at the ground for safe landing of VIPs choppers was more as there would be huge turnout for purchasing firecrackers. Vijayawada Retail Fireworks Dealers’ Association Secretary K. Kodandaramaiah said retailers invested over Rs.3 crore and purchased stock from the wholesalers at Tanuku and Tadepalligudem but denial of permission has left them in quandary.
“We are a worried lot as the place for putting up temporary stalls to sell firecrackers is yet to be identified,” he said.
As many as 106 retailers have been doing business at PWD Grounds since mid 1980s after the first superintendent of police for Vijayawada urban district K.S. Vyas asked them to shift to PWD Grounds instead of putting up stalls on main roads. Since then, the retailers have been erecting stalls at the ground and selling firecrackers adhering to norms.
But the decision by the district administration has shattered the hopes of retailers, Mr. Kodandaramaiah said, adding that the PWD Grounds would be an ideal place for putting up stalls as there is sufficient parking place.
Even as members of the associations are trying to convince the State government and get permission, officials are exploring allotment of Gymkhana Grounds at Gandhinagar and Makineni Basava Punnaiah Stadium at Ajith Singh Nagar for sale of firecrackers.
