By Express News Service

BENGALURU: The Cauvery protests, intermittent rain and anti-pollution campaigns have had an adverse effect on sale of firecrackers in Bengaluru with sellers saying they did not get enough crackers from dealers. The dealers in turn claim they did not receive enough crackers from Tamil Nadu as per their demand this year.

Girish R has been selling firecrackers in Bengaluru for the past 20 years. He runs Sri Ekadantha Pataki Agencies in Bommanahalli on Begur Road. He said, “We have seen a 50 per cent dip in sales this year. A lot of factors contributed to this. First, the dates of the festival. Since it comes at the month-end, not many want to spend money on crackers. Second, the supply isn’t as much as the demand. The dealers told us that manufacturers in Tamil Nadu were struggling to transport consignments after the Cauvery protests. There’s been a 15 per cent mismatch between demand and supply. The rain in TN has also played spoilsport.”

He added that four to five days before the festival, 50 to 60 per cent of the fireworks used to be sold but this year 85 per cent of the stocks were still lying with them. “Last year, despite the rain we had good sales. We are just three days away from the festival and if the stocks are not sold, we will be running a loss,” he said.

Curb on Chinese crackers

A customer looks at lanterns

displayed at a market in

Malleshwaram on Thursday

| nagaraja gadekal

A Asaithambi, Tamil Nadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers’ Association president, begged to differ. “Even today our industry in Sivakasi is worth Rs 2,500 crore and Chinese crackers haven’t hurt our sales. We are a well-connected market and would have information if any dealer is selling Chinese crackers. All the government advertisements have worked. People are scared of being imprisoned if they sell imported crackers.”

Use of potassium chlorate in fireworks has been banned in India since 1992, whose use is rampant in Chinese crackers which is why they are banned. Moreover, the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation hasn’t granted licence to import foreign fireworks. The Centre had banned the sale of Chinese crackers in 2014.

Tips for a safe Diwali



Dr Amod Nayak, ophthalmologist from Dr Agarwal’s Eye Hospital, said, “Children have to be at least at an arm’s length from crackers. Do not wear loose clothes. Try wearing protective gear. In case of any foreign body entering the eye, wash it with water. Wear glasses instead of contacts as it acts as a shield.” “While all our six branches are open on Saturday, our main hospital on BG Road will be open on Sunday,” he added. In case of emergencies, call 7760968883, 7760969601.

No price hike

There has been no hike in firecracker prices as sales have plummeted this year. “If we hike the price, we cannot make any sales. We are just keeping 15-20 per cent margin and selling crackers,” said Girish.