PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Dehradun district administration has completely banned firecracker sales on roads, streets, internal routes and crowded areas. Licenses for firecracker sales will be issued only for designated open grounds from next year. The decision was taken during a meeting held on Wednesday at the collectorate, chaired by additional district magistrate (Administration) Jai Bharat Singh. The meeting was attended by office bearers of various trade associations and officials from departments concerned. All representatives of traders present agreed to the new system of allowing sales only in designated open areas, as per Singh.
The ADM urged trade bodies to cooperate with the administration in implementing the arrangements and instructed officials from the police, fire and administrative departments to issue licenses strictly as per the prescribed rules. The administration has declared several areas in the city as prohibited zones for firecracker shops. These include Paltan Bazaar–Kotwali to Clock Tower, Dhamawala Bazaar–Kotwali to Babuganj (Aadhat Bazaar Chowk), Moti Bazaar–Paltan Bazar to Old Sabzi Mandi Hanuman Chowk, Hanuman Chowk–Jhanda Mohalla, Ramlila Bazaar–Band Bazaar, Anand Chowk to Laxman Chowk, the entire Dispensary Road area, Clock Tower to Hanuman Temple on Chakrata Road, Survey Chowk to DAV College Road and Karanpur main market. All crowded areas, public pathways, streets and internal roads are under complete prohibition for firecracker sales.
The ADM said that firecracker shops will also be banned in places where fire vehicles cannot access. Strict action will be taken against sellers placing racks or beds on roads or footpaths to sell firecrackers, he said. He also informed that the administration has fixed a license application fee of Rs 850. The ADM said that the administration has started getting applications from Wednesday and the last day to apply will be October 13.
Applicants must submit an Aadhaar card, photograph of the empty shop interior, NOCs from police and fire departments, electricity bill and ownership or municipal tax receipt. Licenses will be issued only after meeting all safety standards. Retail sales from firecracker warehouses will not be permitted. The administration has allowed firecracker sales only between October 17 and 21 for the Deepawali.
