Diwali celebrations within the state are set to ignite with a big increase in firecracker manufacturing and gross sales. In response to a spokesperson of the All Bengal Fireworks Makers and Sellers Organisation, the fireworks trade within the state is about to surpass the gross sales determine of Rs 8,000 crore achieved throughout final 12 months’s festive season. The trade goals to realize a turnover of Rs 15,000 crore this 12 months.
Collectively organised by the state authorities and the organisation, lakhs of holiday makers flocked to the 72 ‘Bazi Bazaars’ (fireworks markets) held throughout the state since October 1, organisation chairman Babla Roy, informed mediapersons, additional including that 20 such gala’s had been held in north Bengal. Final 12 months, 52 such gala’s had been held throughout the state.
“This 12 months, we’re witnessing the next demand, resulting in an elevated variety of Bazi Bazaars,” Roy stated, including that, “Roughly 100 Bazi Bazaars are licensed to promote crackers, a big leap from final 12 months’s 52. This development is a much-needed reduction for the lakhs of individuals depending on this trade.”
The choice to organise the ‘Bazi Bazaars’ was made at a latest assembly attended by Chief Secretary Manoj Pant and representatives of the fireworks trade on the state secretariat, Nabanna. Whereas many district gala’s have concluded by October third week, a number of—together with the honest at Sahid Minar Maidan and two others within the northern and southern components of the town—will proceed till October 31.
The state authorities has permitted the Bazi Bazaars to function in numerous areas, together with the primary venue at Shahid Minar Grounds, Behala, Kalikapur close to EM Bypass, Tala Park in North Kolkata, and mega marts in Kolkata, Howrah, Siliguri, and Barasat. The state will present designated areas for fireworks sellers and producers in every district to retailer unsold crackers, following security protocols.
At the moment, the firecracker trade within the state employs over 3.10 lakh individuals, encompassing producers, labourers, distributors, and sellers.
The state authorities’s inexperienced firecracker initiative, launched final 12 months, has led to 232 authorized licensed manufacturing items and over 14,800 educated employees, prioritizing security and environmental sustainability. “We’ve got educated 200 individuals in making inexperienced fireworks, and plan to coach one other 1,000 after Kali Puja/Diwali,” Roy stated, asserting that the affiliation and the state are working collectively to stop clandestine sale of unapproved firecrackers.
In response to Roy, all fireworks should carry the certification mark of both the Petroleum and Explosives Security Organisation (PESO) or the Nationwide Environmental Engineering Analysis Institute (NEERI), the 2 authorised central companies.
Moreover, the West Bengal Air pollution Management Board has additionally been actively concerned in selling the usage of inexperienced firecrackers.
In a latest assembly, with the police authorities, housing committees, and NGOs, implementation of Excessive Court docket orders over inexperienced firecrackers was mentioned.
“Whereas the growing demand for firecrackers presents a chance for financial development, it additionally poses challenges associated to security and environmental issues. Balancing these elements might be essential…,” stated an atmosphere professional.
WBPCB officers together with the administration and police, are visiting the gala’s each day to make sure that solely inexperienced fireworks are offered.
“We’re testing crackers. The labels on merchandise might be scanned to verify they belong to the inexperienced class and bear certifications from the central companies. Gadgets failing to fulfill the 125-decibel restrict are being confiscated and destroyed,” a senior WBPCB official stated.
— With PTI
