Crackers shop license issue gets political colour

Tirupati: Issuing of Diwali crackers shop licenses in the city has become a political issue. Every year Sub-collector has been issuing the licenses to traders who are applying at the time of Diwali season.

This time, a few ruling TDP leaders are pressurising the revenue officials for issuing of licenses at Indira Mydhanam which was prohibited area for cracker shops last year. Indira Mydhanam was in dwelling colonies so as part of taking the precautionary measures the sub collector banned the sale of the crackers at this ground.

Last year, the officials had issued 91 cracker sale licenses at LIC ground, Rythu Bazar and SV High School grounds only, but this year, in addition that a few traders allegedly through TDP leaders influencing the officials to issue the cracker trade licenses at Indira Mydhanam. Similarly, they are demanding for increasing the number of licenses this year.

In this connection two days ago revenue, police and fire officials have jointly conducted a meeting and some traders demanded permission for crackers sale. Speaking to The Hans India on Sunday, a crackers shop owner said the followers of TDP are pressurising the official for issuing crackers trade licenses against the rules at Indira Mydhanam. Once the administration issues the permission for sale of crackers in that area, it would pose a threat to residential localities, he said.