Vijayawada: The legal metrology authorities are carrying out a drive across the state, targeting branded packaged fireworks, to ensure safety to the people during the Diwali festival.
While traders have set up makeshift shops for sale of fireworks, officials are inspecting such shops to find out whether the traders are selling branded packaged fireworks as per norms. With more shops coming up for sale of fireworks on the eve of Sunday’s festival, the authorities say they have intensified the drive.
As per the rules, those who sell packaged fireworks must comply with the norms of label declaration – meaning details like name and address of manufacturer, date of manufacture, identity of the item, MRP etc to be printed on the packs.
As branded and packaged fireworks mainly come from Sivakasi with several brand names like Standard, Ajantha, Murugan, Ayyan etc, the authorities are carrying out checks to also ensure that no old stocks and damaged fireworks are sold.
They are also keeping a check on the sale of locally made fireworks in the guise of branded products. With high competition, traders are selling branded fireworks for less than the MRP.
Legal metrology joint commissioner Ram Kumar said, “We advise the people to check the fireworks properly before they use them, to ensure safety for all.”
