Bursting firecrackers in Lucknow may land you in jail: Here’s why

As per the DM’s order, it has now been made mandatory for public to obtain written permission from local administration officials for display of fireworks. For this, a person or event organiser will have to seek a written permission from the local Magistrate or the Additional District Magistrate. The Magistrate will issue the permission only when the Chief Fire Officer (CFO) of the area submits a report that there will be no threat of fire or danger to life due to the fireworks display at any particular venue. In case CFO suspects any possibility of a fire incident, the permission will not be granted.

Similarly, traders and shopkeepers have been directed to sell firecrackers only to people holding written permission of magistrate. The shopkeeper will also maintain the purchaser details for each sale. Photo identity card of the customer will also be collected by the seller.

As per the order, permission will also have to be obtained from the owner and manager of the venue where display of fireworks has to be done.

These prohibitory orders will be applicable for every social and marriage function or any other event.

The order will be effective from April 21 – marriage season is beginning from April 16. Officials said a gap of 10 days has been given so that necessary preparations like drafting the format of permission letter and sending written communication of the order to all magistrates, fire officers, marriage halls, hotels, resorts and schools can be completed.

The local Magistrate will have the responsibility to visit shops and godowns of fireworks sellers and stockists at least once every month and check their stock and log books.

If any traditional function is being organised at any resort, hotel, park or school ground, then the local police station in-charge will issue the no-objection certificate for use of fireworks after site inspection. Not taking the permission will invite legal action, the order said.

In the order, the DM has stated that CFOs will also give training to traders regarding precautionary measures needed to be taken for storage of fireworks and their display.

Earlier in the day, DM along with SSP Rajesh Pandey held a meeting with officials of fire department and the member of firecrackers’ sellers’ association.

“These are the steps for prevention and control of unabated use of fire crackers. Now one has to take permission of magistrate for use of fire crackers in any kind of function/event under CrPC Section 144,” DM said, adding that the decision of making permission letter mandatory has been taken in view of Kerala fire incident.

DM also said that firecrackers’ shop owners’ association readily agreed to the proposal and have assured of full cooperation and compliance in the greater public interest. He said that a detailed format of the permission letter and format for maintaining record of customers for sellers would be drafted on Wednesday and it will be provided to sellers and administration officials.

DM said that as presently there is no law in the state to prevent use of fireworks, he will send a proposal to UP government to use similar prohibitory measures in other districts too.