Even as shops selling firecrackers mushroom in the city with Diwali nearing, a majority of them are running their operations sans any proper license or No Objection Certificate (NOC).
Even as shops selling firecrackers mushroom in the city with Diwali nearing, a majority of them are running their operations sans any proper license or No Objection Certificate (NOC). Top cops have asked the respective police stations to keep a close watch on shops involved in such illegal business.
According to Satish Varma, Joint Police Commissioner, selling fire crackers without police permission is illegal and strict action will be taken against those flouting the norms. "I have already asked all police stations to keep a close watch on these activities and take necessary action against all illegal shop owners," said Varma, who heads the licence branch in the police commissioner's office.
The licence branch has issued 160 licences to shop-owners selling firecrackers. Among these, 155 licences were renewed, while five shops were granted new ones this year. Officials say they have granted permission to no shops located inside the walled city. However, one can easily find illegal shops and hand carts selling firecrackers inside the walled city.
"We don't give permit to any shop to sell firecrackers inside the walled city and that includes hand carts too. If the police find any such shops, they will take action against them," assured Varma.
Before applying for a licence, the shop owner needs to acquire NOC from the fire department. According to MF Dastur, chief fire officer, 210 shops were given fire safety NOC this year, including 42 temporary shops inside the football ground in Kankaria. "There are around four shops inside the walled city which have acquired
NOC for fire safety. It's the responsibility of the police to stop shop-owners from selling firecrackers inside the walled city," said Dastur.
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