No licence granted for import of fireworks : Govt

Speed Post News Network

New Delhi : The Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP) on September 13, 2017, said that the manufacture, possession, use, sale, etc. of any explosive containing sulphur or sulphurate in admixture with any chlorate is banned in the country since January 27, 1992. Besides, fireworks have been declared as restricted item under ITC (HS) in respect of import by the Director General of Foreign Trade, it said.

Till date, no license for import of fireworks has been granted under the Explosives Rules, 2008, by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization, a Subordinate Office of Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, according to a PIB release. Possession and sale of fireworks of foreign origin is illegal and punishable under the Law. Information about possession and/or sale of such fireworks may be reported to the nearest Police Station for suitable action, said the PIB release.

Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion has been receiving a number of complaints/representations regarding clandestine import of fireworks of foreign origin under false declarations. Various Fireworks Associations have time and again raised the issue and informed that these smuggled items include the chemical ‘Potassium Chlorate’ which is a dangerous and hazardous chemical and can ignite or explode spontaneously, according to the PIB release.