The Delhi Government has formed 11 teams at district level to crack down on Chinese crackers that have proliferated national Capital's markets. The Government has asked the Delhi Police licensing department to issue minimum number of licences and put it on website.
Delhi Government officials said they are trying to stop the supply line of Chinese crackers and the people behind the supply. The Custom Department claimed that there is no report of containers having Chinese fireworks that have come to Delhi this year while Chinese crackers are easily available in Delhi's fireworks wholesale market in Sadar Bazar, exposing all official claims about restricting the unlicenced imported products.
A high-level meeting was chaired by Delhi Environment Minister Imran Hussain to get things implemented at ground level.
According to sources, the inspecting team will check availability of imported fire crackers in the market should enhance their vigilance/field inspections/ visits.
“The team(s) of Officers from licensing Unit constituted to check godowns randomly for availability of imported firecrackers in the market should augment their vigilance/ field visits,' sources said. It was also decided that minimum number of licenses should be given to sell fireworks and licenses issued to be put on website. “Only authorised sound emitting crackers (sound level not exceeding 125 decibels or 145 decibels at four meter distance from the point of bursting) as well as colour and light emitting crackers having sound level not exceeding 90 decibels should be allowed with composition, size and design as per ministry of commerce guidelines,” sources said.
Hussain had held a similar review meeting on October 13. He also ordered that court orders regarding noise pollution and prevention especially relating to complete ban on bursting of sound emitting firecrackers between 10 pm and 6 am will have to be enforced and police control room vans be made more visible in the eyes of public
A Sadar Bazar trader denied knowledge of any ban on sale of Chinese crackers. “I am not aware about the authorities' decision to ban Chinese crackers,” said a shopkeeper on the condition of anonymity, adding that a pack of Indian sparkles, chakris, and bomb cost between Rs 5-250, Rs 30-150 and Rs 50-350, respectively. “The Chinese versions cost 25 to 35 per cent less,” he said.
Another trader said, “The consignments of Chinese crackers that arrived long back have to be sold. No new orders are being placed as customs officials are vigilant.”
In the last week of September, the Central Government issued a notification restricting import of made in China crackers. But the rules remain ambiguous on whether there are curbs on sale of crackers imported from China, before the central government notification.
It is learnt that fumes of Chinese crackers cause more pollution and are also harmful to human. The Indian crackers are safer.
The Delhi Pollution Control Committee had earlier wrote to the Delhi Police and to the Customs Department, asking them to ensure that import of prohibited firecrackers into Delhi is not permitted.
“No importer shall import firecrackers from any country and customs shall ensure that such consignments which violate the norm prescribed...should not enter into Delhi and the licensing branch of Delhi Police is directed to ensure that all the wholesaler license holders are informed about these provisions...and warned that in case of violation, action as per the law will be taken against them. Condition in this effect be incorporated in their licences,” the letter said.