"We have taken action. Last night we have issued a notification and advertisement that it is illegal to sell imported crackers in retail, since there has been no permit given to anyone to import crackers. If found in markets, investigation would be made on how it found its way into India," Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Commerce and Industry Nirmala Sitharaman said.
"Advertisements and public notifications would follow on under what sections this act is illegal," she said.
Clarifying on the claims by some that permits were obtained under the Explosives Act, she said specific permission has to be taken to import crackers.
"But I am making it clear here that no permission has been given to anyone for importing crackers. So, illegal import, possession and selling of crackers from other countries is undoubtedly a crime."
Also Read
"Last week, tracing some imported crackers, the Customs confiscated a container in Mumbai. We are acting very seriously on the issue," Sitharaman, also Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, said.
She recalled a meeting last month with representatives from the firecrackers industry from Tamil Nadu, where they complained of Chinese crackers illegally entering the markets through sea and posing a major threat to their livelihood.
Firecrackers is one of the major industries in Tamil Nadu, centered around Sivakasi and is the source of livelihood for lakhs of families. A sizeable printing industry is also dependent on this sector.