DC Anupam Kashyap reviews Diwali safety arrangements; violators to face action
SHIMLA: With Diwali approaching, Shimla Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap on Tuesday chaired a meeting with officials, fire and safety agencies and stakeholders to review arrangements for the safe sale, storage and distribution of firecrackers in the district.
Kashyap said the sale, storage, transportation and distribution of firecrackers would be permitted only in accordance with the Explosives Act, 1884, Explosives Rules, 2008, and conditions specified in valid licences and permissions. No sale or storage would be allowed without a valid licence, he said, directing traders to strictly comply with safety and regulatory requirements.
Under the guidelines discussed at the meeting, firecrackers can be stored and sold only from duly licensed premises and within the quantity permitted under the licence. Vendors have also been advised to purchase crackers only from licensed manufacturers or authorised suppliers and maintain purchase records and supplier details. The administration has also stressed that unauthorised roadside stalls, vehicles, temporary structures or other unlicensed locations cannot be used for selling firecrackers. Temporary outlets will require separate permission from the competent authority and compliance with applicable licensing requirements.
Safety norms for firecracker shops
Officials emphasised that shops should have safe electrical wiring, independent access and emergency exits, while access routes for fire-fighting services must remain clear. Smoking, open flames and other ignition sources will be prohibited in and around cracker shops.Vendors have been directed to keep adequate fire extinguishers, along with arrangements for sand and water, and prominently display emergency contact numbers. Firecrackers must be stored and sold in their original approved packaging, while damaged or unsafe packets should not be handled routinely.
Only authorised fireworks meeting applicable safety and noise standards can be sold. Vendors have also been asked to maintain proper records of opening stock, purchases, sales and closing stock for inspection by authorised officials.The administration has further advised vendors to ensure children do not enter storage areas or handle cracker packets. Fire, explosions, unexplained stock shortages or other serious incidents must be reported immediately to the nearest police station and the concerned licensing authority.
Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) Pankaj Sharma and other stakeholders were present at the meeting.
