The demonetisation of higher currency notes has cast a shadow on the fire cracker manufacture units and traders, basically catering to the need of wedding in the ongoing marriage season.
For, given the cash crunch situation, the people have opted to refrain from bursting crackers during the marriage procession to reduce expenses. As per the current rule, a maximum of Rs 2.5 lakh can be withdrawn from bank for conducting a marriage.
According to Nari Pani, a fire cracker manufacture of Indupur, marriage season is the time the fire cracker manufacturers and traders wait patiently to earn a fast buck. But demonetisation has an adverse effect on the fire cracker manufacturers since the people are no more interested to buy crackers in a big way.
“Hardly did I get a single advance for supplying fire crackers in a wedding in last one week. I have stock of fire crackers worth lakhs, but have had few takers,” said Pani.
Equally is the fate of florists. Akhu, a florist of Gopa village, said he was not paid adequate advance money by his customers for decorating the upcoming engagement and marriage venues.
A florist used to earn not less than Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 in a wedding here. But hardly does one earn Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000 in a wedding party these days, he added.
Similarly, the travel agencies providing vehicles for the marriage have been badly hit. Their business is now down.
“We are receiving advance hall booking payments by cheque, since Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes are no more accepted. It is a difficult situation and the payments of daily wage to the labourers are delayed as it takes at least two days to encash a cheque. However, we are now receiving payments through POS machines,” said Kaliprasad Mishra, owner of Shyama Kali Mandap.