Prices of Diwali crackers up 40 per cent

KAKINADA: Prices of fire crackers in Kakinada have gone up by 40 percent this year over last year, as costs of raw materials have increased steeply.

Cracker sellers said they mostly import firecrackers from companies in Tamil Nadu’s Sivakasi, which have hiked their prices. In addition, transport costs have also increased abnormally.

Despite the hike in prices, cracker traders are expecting good sales this year, as for the past two years, sales had been dim due to Covid-19. They feel this year, people will come forward to buy crackers and celebrate the festival in a grander manner.

Incidentally, erstwhile East Godavari itself is very famous for manufacturing crackers since years. However, in view of the recurring fire accidents, district administration has allowed only those manufacturing units in the district that adhere to its strict norms.

“Previously there were 60 manufacturers in the district. Now, their number has come down to 40, as remaining manufacturers are unable to meet the government’s norms,’’ said Velugubanda Satyanarayana Murthy, honorary president of East Godavari District Fire Manufactures Association. He said as raw material costs have increased, they have been compelled to hike prices of crackers manufactured by them.

Fire cracker manufacturer Pakir Raju, however, clarified that they are selling products with minimal profit. There are also units that are selling products with no or loss to continue running their companies, he underlined.