A few days ahead of Diwali, Home Secretary Asit Tripathy has cracked the whip against foreign origin fire crackers, which are being imported illegally.
Tripathy has asked the District Magistrates to look into the matter as the import of firecrackers is ‘Restricted’ in terms of foreign trade policy and act according to law.
The District Magistrates issue temporary license to sale firecrackers to the duly authorised persons under Rule 84 of Explosives Substances Rules-2008 for store and sale of fireworks.
The Union Government insists on issuing license for sale of Indian fireworks, not the fire crackers of foreign origin.
Mostly Chinese crackers are quietly sneaking into Indian soil and in many cases those are imported illegally without any permission from the Director General Foreign Trade (DGFT).
Besides, import of illegal fire crackers by some traders is also harming the domestic industry and fireworks of foreign origin are hazardous in nature and adversely affect public safety and health.
DGFT Director General Debi Prasad Dash had requested the State Government to look into the matter as it has come to notice of the central authorities about large scale illegal import of fire crackers of foreign origin.
Dash has said that some elements circumvent the policy of foreign trade and indulge in illegal import of fire crackers reportedly continuing despite best efforts by the law enforcement agencies.
In the meantime State police have issued guidelines on the sale and purchase of crackers.
Licences for sale of crackers will be issued on the basis of Provision 84 of the Explosive Substances Rules 2008 regarding temporary shops for possession and sale of fireworks, during Diwali festival.
District police will also ensure strict vigilance round-the-clock to prevent undesirable practice of cracker manufacture and sale.
While DGP RP Sharma has issued guidelines in this regard, Police Commissioner Satyajit Mohanty has also asked the DCPs of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to strictly adhere to the guidelines, said sources.
Besides, as per the Supreme Court orders people of Odisha like Delhi and other States can burst firecrackers for two hours from 8 pm to 10 pm. If the restrictions are violated it would be treated as contempt of the apex court. People cannot burst firecrackers according to their will and pollute the environment.
The Environment Department Director has alerted the Home, Revenue, School and Mass Education, Information and Public Relations Departments and the Odisha State Pollution Control Board.