Possession and sale of fireworks of foreign origin banned in India: DIPP

The Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion on Monday said the possession and sale of fireworks of foreign origin in India is illegal and punishable under the law. 

Fireworks in India have been declared as restricted item under Indian trade clarification based on harmonised system of coding ITC (HS) in respect of import by Director General of Foreign Trade, DIPP said in a notification issued today, adding that it has been brought to its notice that fireworks of foreign origin were illegally brought into India under false declarations.

''Various fireworks associations have informed that these smuggled items include the chemical 'potassium chlorate' which is a dangerous and hazardous chemical and can ignite or explode spontaneously,'' DIPP said.

The Tamilnadu Fireworks and Amorces Manufacturers' Association (TANFAMA) has also informed that illegal fireworks of foreign origin have penetrated into the country in large quantities and are likely to be sold through retail outlets extensively during coming Diwali season, DIPP noted.

The manufacture, possession, use, sale, etc of any explosive containing sulphur or sulphurate in admixture with any chlorate is banned in the country. DIPP said no licence for import of fireworks has been granted under the Explosives Rules, 2008 by Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation, its subordinate office.

Possession and sale of fireworks of foreign origin in India is illegal and punishable under the law. Information about possession and/or sale of such fireworks may be reported to the nearest police station for suitable action, it added.