Chhattisgarh cracks down on Chinese lights, crackers

Chinese lights and crackers have a business of Rs 100 crore in the state

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Chinese products would not illuminate this Diwali in Chhattisgarh as the state government has banned the imported item.

The Chhattisgarh government's initiative came after Chinese lights resulted in eye infection during Navaratri celebrations at a few places.

Following the instruction of Chief Minister Raman Singh, the state government has issued a circular to all the District Collectors instructing strict action against Chinese items. In Chhattisgarh, Chinese lights and crackers have a business of Rs 100 crore.

The district administration officials raided the electrical shops and seized the Chinese lights. The organising committees of Durga utsav were asked to remove the Chinese lights. The electrical shop owners have been asked to submit an affidavit underlining that they would not sell Chinese lights causing health problems.

A state government spokesperson said that the administration would be keeping a close watch in the market to avoid the sale of Chinese lights during Diwali.

Even the crackers made in China would be missing from the Diwali market this year. The government had imposed a ban on the Chinese crackers. 

The administrative officials conducted inspection at different crackers shops and godowns. However, they could not find the stock.

The crackers from China had been dominating the Diwali market in Chhattisgarh. The cheap price had been the prime reason. But the pollution caused by the Chinese crackers had been very high that propelled the state government to put a ban on it.