Celebrating Diwali with a bang will be expensive: Firecrackers prices rise amid shortage

Corona lockdown in Sivakashi, 75 percent reduction in production amid restrictions, dumping of cheap imported Chinese crackers stopped

Diwali and Nutan Vikram Samvant have been celebrated with pomp and fanfare before the current tough period of Corona and Kalajal inflation in Gujarat, it has been unlocked after Corona restrictions last year, but with the increase in prices including diesel, the price of firecrackers has also increased by 20 to 25 percent. Besides, due to factors including lockdown, increase in raw material prices, the production of goods is decreasing, this time Diwali celebration discounts and stocks of crackers have arrived in the markets, but the purchase has been slow.

Business sources in Rajkot said that Shivakashi in Tamil Nadu has already been supplying firecrackers across the country, but this time the production has been reduced to a quarter as the lockdown lasted longer than in Gujarat and the rains were even heavier. The goods are not coming as much as they should and the prices have been increased.

Crackers of advanced variety have come in the market, sales have started but, last year schools were closed during Sharadpunam but this time schools are still open, exams are also being held and retail shopping for children is less. On the other hand, even in an essential item like petrol, people provide only a limited amount of petrol and when the overall sale of petrol has decreased, people buy firecrackers not per number but only in a certain amount so that the overall profit of the traders decreases.

Also, earlier Chinese crackers used to enter the market in a big way with new varieties at prices lower than the local market, but traders themselves no longer order Chinese crackers and retailers selling dumped goods are now largely closed.

In Saurashtra, barring the firework displays by some well-to-do people, the average citizen still welcomes the New Year with traditional firecrackers like Chakardi, Phulzar, Fuwara, Teta, Bhonchkardi and a few rockets. While the intense sounds of firecrackers like cinder bombs are especially damaging to the retinas of children, the elderly, it is inevitable. Diwali celebrations have not been spared in the overall inflationary cycle and despite the concessions, bursting crackers has become expensive.