Despite SC orders, sale of crackers on peak

Even as officials are working tirelessly to evolve coordinated methods to implement the Supreme Court orders, the city is abuzz with preparations for Deepavali.

The border between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu near Attibele has turned out to be a one-stop destination for Bengalureans and people from adjoining districts to buy crackers.

Despite the SC orders on green crackers, no trader has any clue about them. In fact, they will only offer crackers wrapped in green boxes.

When DH visited the border areas on Thursday afternoon, the traders were doing a brisk sale of crackers. More than 100 cracker shops have come up along the border on either side. While it was common for Hosur to host most of the shops, this year, close to 80 shops have come up on the Karnataka side along the border, selling crackers at throwaway prices.

"There are all temporary make-shift shops, which start from Electronic City flyover till the NH toll plaza," said Ravi Kumar, a local resident.

Setting up shops along the Karnataka border Babu said the court's orders on specific timing to burst crackers has not affected the sales in any way.

"We were worried that there would be a complete ban. But luckily it has restricted the timings. Yet, it has not affected our business. People have been turning up in great numbers to buy crackers," said Babu.

Some traders have received communication from manufacturers saying that is the last year that they would be supplying high decibel crackers.

"The factory agents have told us that there will not be any supply of high decibel crackers. Hence, we are clearing all stocks by obtaining temporary licenses," he explained.

Taking on their counterparts in Hosur, the traders have begun to offer huge discounts.

"Most traders in Hosur increase the cost of crackers by pasting stickers on the original price and later offer 70 to 80 per cent discount thereby cheating the customer. However, we are offering a discount on the base price of all type of crackers without," said a trader at Attibele.

Munikrishna, the owner of Chandrachoodeshwari cracker shop at Hosur, exuded that their business will only pick up in the days to come.

Clarifying on the allegations made by their counterparts in Karnataka he said: "We put stickers only to make the MRP price visible and not to hide the original price. People buy crackers from Rs 3,000 to Rs 1 lakh."

When enquired about the green crackers, the traders offered only flowerpots and sparkles packed in green colour papers or boxes.

"We have not received any demand for green crackers. And in fact, people have been asking for regular crackers. Compared to last few years that saw rain and Cauvery dispute, this year the business is brisk," he said.

Meantime, the city police have been working with RWAs and Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) officials to implement the SC orders.

City Police Commissioner T Suneel Kumar said the court has set a two hours timings during Deepavali, but it has not mentioned the number of days.

"The festival is for three-days and several communities celebrate it on different days. Hence we will allow people to burst crackers for four to five days while adhering to the two hours time. With the help of KSPCB, we are holding awareness programmes to RWAs and also residents. We will also carry out patrolling to enforce court's orders. And if anyone found bursting crackers beyond 10 pm, they would be arrested and booked," he said.