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Deepavali is anticipated to be quieter this year, with many fireworks merchants hesitant to set up store.
With only a week left for the competition, the response for setting up short-term fireworks stalls is lukewarm. Compared to final year, not even half of the candidates have turned up to erect stalls owing to the COVID-19 scenario.
In 2019, the variety of candidates who sought permission to promote fireworks was round 350. However, this year, solely round 150 merchants have sought permission, and a few of them have determined to step again fearing losses.
Police, Fire, GVMC and different departments have began issuing No Objection Certificates (NOCs) to the merchants. Police have issued a algorithm to be adopted on the stalls. Various functions are within the closing stage with the police division who’re conducting web site inspections earlier than granting permission.
“Last year, around 150 applicants approached us to set up stalls at Andhra University College of Engineering grounds. But now, only around 80 applicants have approached us for the same venue. Last year, many traders had set up stalls in Gajuwaka, but now no applications have been received,” mentioned Niranjan Reddy, Regional Fire Officer of GVMC.
Apart from AU grounds, candidates additionally sought permission to set up stalls at open locations in Anakapalle, Old Eenadu Junction, Sheela Nagar, Simhachalam, Gopalapatnam, Karasa, and Madhurawada area, he mentioned.
According to the officer, the COVID-19 scenario has taken a toll and plenty of businessmen have not come ahead to set up stalls.
Sayyed Siraj, president of Star Fire Merchants Welfare Association, mentioned that many small-scale businessmen who usually spend money on this enterprise are not coming ahead to set up stalls this year as they’ve suffered enormous losses as a result of lockdown.
“Now, we cannot predict the outcome this year. We do not know how many people will come forward to buy firecrackers due to the pandemic situation. Many don’t even want to set up stalls to avoid crowding due to fear of COVID-19,” he mentioned.
Another dealer from town, S. Ramu, mentioned that this is a seasonal enterprise, and enterprise has been common over time. “We have been incurring losses over the years. We may end up in losses this year too, as people might not spend much on firecrackers due to COVID-19 and due to a rising awareness on the environmental aspects of bursting firecrackers,” he mentioned.
The Police Department is but to finalise a date for commencing gross sales within the district. It is learnt that police officers are mulling to offer permission for at the very least 5 days to keep away from crowding on the venues.
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