Illegally imported Chinese fire crackers worth Rs 20 crore have been seized by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which has also sounded a nation-wide alert to check their sale and take punitive action.
The import of fire crackers is allowed against a licence issued by the Ministry of Commerce.
The DRI had last month issued a general alert to sensitise all field officers to check import of fire crackers. The Commerce Ministry has not issued any license to any importer to bring foreign-made fire crackers.
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Besides harming the domestic industry, fireworks of foreign origin are hazardous in nature and jeopardise public safety and health.
On the basis of specific intelligence regarding large scale smuggling of sub-standard, poor quality Chinese-make fire crackers by way of concealment and mis-declaration, strict surveillance was maintained by the DRI.
"During the course of operation, various types of Chinese make fire crackers have been recovered having value of Rs 19.48 crore in five cases. In this connection two persons have been arrested. The recovered Chinese-make firecrackers have been seized," a press release issued today by the DRI said.
Further, the DRI has issued letters to all the Chief Secretaries and Directors General of Police of all the states requesting to monitor the sale of firecrackers and take necessary punitive action against persons selling foreign origin firecrackers, it said.
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