Jalandhar
Following the court orders regarding holding a draw for issuing licences to cracker sellers, a temporary market set up at Burlton Park here has

been closed. The administration has cancelled all previously allotted licences and asked the traders to apply afresh. The licences will be issued

through a draw on Monday evening.

While 98 licences were issued in the city area last year, not more than 78 (20 per cent less) licences will be issued this time. Deputy

Commissioner Varinder K Sharma said he today held a meeting with the officials concerned, including the Police Commissioner and SSP, to

chalk out the plan for implementing the orders to allow firecrackers only for three hours. “PCR teams will be deployed to check violation. We

have imposed Section 144 of the CrPC and anyone found violating it will be imprisoned and fined under Section 188 of the IPC,” he said.

Meanwhile, Baldev Raj of Wholesale Fireworks Association, said he along with other members would hand over a memorandum to the DC

seeking a relief on the orders. “Crackers worth crores were collectively bought by us to see a good business in these few days. We had taken

licences for Rs 1,000 from the administration, paid rent for temporary shops and have started sales. But just five days ahead of the festival,

our business has been ruined by one order,” he rued.