Kolkata: A fireworks dealers association on Wednesday 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 said. 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 '6 lakh to recover the cost of renting a stall.” Mr 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.
