Jalandhar, November 2: The administration has selected 20 firecracker traders through a lucky draw for temporary shops at the proposed firecracker market in Raowali village, while two additional applicants have been kept as reserves. Around 410 traders had reportedly applied for temporary shop licences.
The draw was conducted at Red Cross Bhawan in Jalandhar. Additional Deputy Commissioner Amaninder Kaur said the two reserve applicants could be considered if the licence of any selected trader is cancelled. According to the report, licences have been issued to the selected traders, who have been directed to follow the prescribed rules and safety requirements.
The proposed market at Raowali village, located along the Pathankot Road, is being prepared for the upcoming Diwali season. However, the arrangements remain incomplete, with traders expressing concern over the limited time available to set up their shops.
Vikas Bhandari, president of the firecracker market traders' association, said that the process had been delayed after a legal petition was filed by the village sarpanch. He stated that around six days were lost before the matter was resolved through mutual agreement and the case was withdrawn.
Bhandari also raised concerns about the short selling period and the difficulties faced by traders in arranging suitable locations for the market. He said traders had faced recovery-related challenges in previous years as well.
According to the traders' association, the market is being planned across approximately 13 acres this year, compared with the difficulties experienced at the previous location, where parking arrangements had been a concern.
With only a few days remaining before Diwali, traders are now hoping that the remaining arrangements will be completed in time and that the temporary market will become operational without further delays.
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