'Possession, sale of imported firworks punishable under law'

Ahead of diwali festival, the government today warned that possession and sale of imported fireworks is illegal and punishable under the law.
The commerce and industry ministry said that it is receiving a number of complaints and representations regarding clandestine import of fireworks of foreign origin under false declarations.
"Information about possession and/or sale of such fireworks may be reported to the nearest police station for suitable action," it said in a statement.
Various fireworks associations have time and again raised their concerns and has informed that these smuggled items contain 'Potassium Chlorate', a dangerous and hazardous chemical which can ignite or explode spontaneously.

The manufacture, possession, use and sale of any explosive containing sulphur or sulphurate in admixture with any chlorate is banned in the country, it added.
"Possession and sale of fireworks of foreign origin is illegal and punishable under the law," it said.

Besides, imports of fireworks comes under restricted category, which means an importer have to obtain a license from the Director General of Foreign Trade.
"Till date, no license for import of fireworks has been granted under the Explosives Rules, 2008 by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, a subordinate office of the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion," the ministry said.

Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu is the manufacturing hub of India's fireworks industry.