GST fails to dampen Diwali spirit

Diwali, the festival of lights, is right around the corner. The festival is celebrated with gaiety in the capital. With just a day remaining, the market is abuzz with full of Diwali decors, including firecrackers. 

When it comes to firecrackers, the city never disappoints the traders. With the citizens already in a festive mood, the firecracker sale is also witnessing a good crowd, giving a clear signal that the Supreme Court ban on sale of firecrackers in Delhi, has no impact here.

However, the Diwali festival celebration here is at lower note compared to that of Ganesh Chathurti, wherein one sees massive explosion of firecrackers. 

According to a leading firecracker dealer in the city, there has been a good response this year as always. “Business is picking up fast. However, the usual rush is yet to come. We expect the sales to pick up by Tuesday,” dealer said refusing to come on record.

“But, you don’t see much sale of fire crackers in Diwali, compared to that during Ganesh Festival. It is slightly 10-15 per cent less compared to Ganesh. On second day of Diwali, that is on October 19 - Laxmi Pooja, one will see large sale of firecrackers,” the dealer said. 

A round in the city also indicates that people are boycotting Chinese firecrackers, though they are sold at cheaper rate than the traditional fire items. “I normally sell china made items, including firecrackers for Diwali. But this year, the sale is not even 10 per cent so far,” shopkeeper Mohammad Rafiq said. 

Due to the Goods and Service Tax (GST) the prices of firecrackers have gone up sharply. The various items like fountains, ground spinner, sparkles, rockets, missiles, sound crackers, etc, are available in large quantity with prices starting from Rs 400 per packet.

“With the implementation of GST traders have to pay two taxes and hence are forced to increase the price of the commodities. This doesn’t appeal to the customers. At times, we have to sell the crackers at discount rates and this doesn’t bode well for our business,” Musthafa, a shopkeeper said.