Rain dampens festive spirit

Visakhapatnam: Last year, Hudhud and this time, the inclement weather has dampened the spirit of Diwali celebrations in the city. Among all, the much worried lot is the firecracker retailers as their business has been badly hit due to forecast of heavy rain and delay in the issuance of licences from the authorities concerned.

The drizzle from morning also forced many people to stay at home and resulted in poor business. “I had planned to go for shopping, but dropped the plan due to rain,” said, Vinu Reddy, an IT employee.

About 120 temporary stalls were erected near Central Park which is the hub of firecracker business. However, many could not start business till evening due to delay in issuance of licences by officials. Only, three firecracker retailers’ union had availed licence when last reported.   Moreover, the retailers which availed license and opened shops witnessed a lean business.  
 
Srinivas, a seasoned businessman who has been opening firecracker stall for the last 18 years in MVP colony, said,” Doing cracker business has become very tough now with the new rules in place. We have to get license from police, fire authority, traffic police and GVMC to open a stall.”   
 
“Last year, we ordered stock but government declined to issue license at the last moment due to Hudhud. I lost about Rs 2 lakh than. Again, with hope, I opened stall this time, but I am literally sitting idle since yesterday due to low turn out of customers. Hence, I have decided to quit firecracker business from next year,” he said.
 
Echoing the same sentiment, Naresh, a retailer who has invested about Rs 4 lakh said, “I am having sleepless nights due to low turn out of customers. The green Diwali campaign coupled with inclement weather has taken toll on business.”

 

 

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