Cracker stalls controversy sorted out

PUNE, Oct 4: The controversy on issuing stalls for the sale of firecrackers was amicably sorted out at Khadki Cantonment Board (KCB) on Saturday with the bidders apologising for their behaviour earlier this week.

The bidders had staged demonstrations outside the cantonment office to protest against the hike in the stall rates. The board had allotted stalls for a sum of Rs 2.67 lakh the previous year and bidders this year had quoted Rs 1.42 lakh following which the cantonment executive officer refused to grant the stalls and conduct another auction. The bidders expressed their willingness to increase their rates.