SC says no to sale of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR, small traders worry a Diwali of loss

New Delhi, Oct 9 (KNN) With the Supreme Court reinstating the ban on the sale of firecrackers in Delhi and NCR region, saying that the city must try a Diwali without crackers, the small traders worry huge losses because of the SC’s decision.

Talking to KNN, Ved Prakash, Past President of the Delhi Firecrackers Dealers Association informed that there is a great deal of anxiety among the small traders with the court’s verdict. Explaining the scenario, Prakash said that the small traders already had stocks piled up ahead of the festive season.

“There is always extra excitement since Diwali is about crackers, each and every shop in the national capital has some level of buffer stock, but with the Supreme Court banning the sales, these shops are to incur huge losses”.

Explaining further, Prakash said that for big dealers, the ban is not much of a concern, since these dealers have the resources to ship their stocks to other states and sell it over there, as the ban is just in Delhi-NCR. Prakash acknowledged the Supreme Court’s decision and its concern for the environment. He however raised question as to why is it just banned in Delhi while other states can still sell it.

Prakash also informed about certain gaps from the side of the firecrackers association themselves in defending their position In court.

“The present team of association couldn’t make appropriate representation in the court, because of which we lost the case” he added.

Prakash also informed that the ban from the court is just for the sales and not for the manufacturing, which again is a questionable clause, he said.

The National Capital Region along with the capital houses over 150 small and medium size dealers dealing in firecrackers. (KNN/ DA)