Ahead of Diwali, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on October 28 recovered Chinese firecrackers worth Rs 2 crore in raids on more than 100 godowns and retail outlets across the country.
"...In a country wide operation undertaken on October 28, 2015 to detect and seize the offending goods, the officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence raided more than 100 godowns and retail outlets in Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Trichy, Vijawada, Madurai, Ludhiana etc.
"During the course of operations, various types of Chinese make firecrackers have been recovered having total value of more than Rs 2 crore," the Finance Ministry said in a statement.
The Chinese firecrackers have been seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigations are in progress, it added.
According to rules, import of firecrackers in India is restricted in terms of Foreign Trade Policy by Ministry of Commerce. Import of firecrackers is allowed against a license issued by the Ministry of Commerce.
The Ministry of Commerce has not issued any license in so far to any importer. Besides harming the domestic industry, fireworks of foreign origin are hazardous in nature and jeopardize public safety and health, the statement said.
The DRI was maintaining strict surveillance in local markets in pursuance of specific intelligence regarding large scale smuggling of sub-standard, poor quality Chinese made firecrackers by way of concealment and mis-declaration.
