People told to be careful while purchasing firecrackers

Warangal: With Dasara and Diwali approaching, consumers should exercise caution while purchasing fireworks, CCC chairman Mogilicharla Sudarshan advised.

He said traders are flouting norms and selling indiscriminately, warning that buying sub-standard, hazardous crackers can lead to financial loss and health and environmental risks.

Speaking at a Warangal united district federation representatives’ meeting under the chairmanship of Murarisetti Yashwanth Kumar, Sudarshan outlined issues around enforcement of rules in firework sales and protection of consumer rights.

Sudarshan stressed that sales across Warangal Tri-City must strictly follow regulations. Only products with valid permissions and certificates should be sold, he said, urging buyers to prefer fireworks certified by CSIR-NEERI and compliant with Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) norms.

He asked consumers to check QR codes and product details on packs and give priority to permitted “green crackers”.

Recent test purchases by the federation detected multiple lapses in areas including Small Bridge, Hunter Road and Old Beeth Bazar in Warangal, as well as Hanamkonda and Kazipet, he said. Shops failed to issue original bills, prices for the same item varied across outlets, some packs lacked visible QR codes, and green crackers were not found available, he noted. The federation plans to file complaints with concerned authorities based on this evidence, he added.

Consumers were advised to always take a bill when buying fireworks and to verify manufacturer details, safety instructions and certification marks on the packaging.

Sudarshan objected to the practice of selling fireworks by kilogram, saying it opens scope for cheating on price and quality. He called on consumers to be alert to such sales methods.

He appealed to federation representatives across the united Warangal district to create awareness among consumers through various media.

District representatives and technical and legal advisers Diddi Lakshminarayana, Bandi Anil Kumar, Rayabarapu Bhikshapathi, Srinivas, Kishan Rao and others participated in the meeting.

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