A fireworks dealers association today said the negative perception about fireworks is sounding the death knell for the industry though the licensed makers are following all safety guidelines.
An association member said despite spending time and energy in procuring more visually appealing fireworks and shunning the traditional crackers, the fireworks industry is now being accused as a contributor to air pollution and hence people are getting swayed.
Licensed fireworks manufacturers and dealers are facing hurdles posed by the government and environmentalist groups even after all standard procedures were taken to keep the noise of crackers under the prescribed 90 decibel limit, he said.
"If lakhs of people employed in the firecracker industry are rendered jobless, there should be an alternative employment for them," Chittaranjan Maity, secretary, Burrabazar Fireworks Dealers' Association told PTI here.
Pointing at the stalls that have been set up at the annual 'Bazi Bazar' at the Kolkata Maidan, he said, "From over 100 stalls put up by association members in the past, only 44 are taking part this year. We are not even sure if each stall can register a daily business of Rs 5 lakh to Rs 6 lakh to recover the cost of renting a stall."
Maity said keeping the sound restrictions in mind, the association has brought newer versions of firecrackers this time such as flower pots, tricolour flower pots, super fun multicolour shots and dolphin dives in the market, and none of these firecrackers violate the decibel limits.
"If the authorities have further directives, let them spell it out. Or else, the industry will close down...Tell me how is New Year celebrated in the cities abroad? Are foreigners not familiar with fireworks?" he asked adding that his association always advocated bursting crackers that have grand visual appeal.
Dipankar Pal, an executive committee member of the association and owner of a 22-year-old fireworks dealer company, said that there is a spurt of unlicensed fireworks dealers in every part of the state, including in the city and are diverting buyers from the official Bazi Bazar at the Maidan."
"Why are the government and law enforcing authorities turning a blind eye to this trend and why don't they regulate the unlicensed fireworks units in places like Champahati, Nungi and Nilganj?....If their fireworks, including shells, have sound levels exceeding 90 decibel limit, why should recognised fireworks sellers like us be blamed," he wondered.
A spokesman of Union Polythene Co, a fireworks stall from Canning Street said the footfall this time is below 50 percent than that of last year. There are over 200 items, including traditional ones like sparklers and charki(pinwheel) but we think over 50 per cent will remain unsold."
Environment Minister Sovan Chatterjee had said on Monday had requested people to adhere to the WBPCB guidelines and not burst crackers between 10 pm and 6 am.
Chatterjee had also said, "There has to be proper licensing for doing business as hundreds of people are involved in the fireworks business in places like Champahati and Nungi in South 24 Parganas district. We know there is need for restrictions but we cannot altogether do away with our tradition.
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