Fireworks industry here is shocked over the Supreme Court banning sale of crackers in the National Capital Region (NCR) around New Delhi, a major market for the Sivakasi fireworks.
“NCR is a major market as traditionally north Indians buy more fireworks, that too during Deepavali,” said A.P. Selvarajan, a leading manufacturer. The ban that was implemented before 2016 Deepavali was lifted for a short while on September 12, 2017. “There could have been sale in this intervening period but the quantum is not known now,” he said.
The Supreme Court has banned sale of crackers till November 1 in the NCR which meant no more sale of crackers for Deepavali, the best season for cracker sale in the country.
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“The NCR accounts for 20% of Deepavali sale. We are also bothered about what is going to happen afterwards. If the ban continues, the trend will catch up in other parts of the country,” said K. Mariappan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association.
“The fear of ban extending to other States will make the dealers lose confidence in sale in their area. With the industry dependent on the advance payment from dealers for their working capital, such an uncertainty will spell a doom to the industry,” Mr. Mariappan said.