Chennai: Khaja Mohideen recalls how 2015 Deepavali was a bad one for him with rains dampening the sales, thus his spirit. “Customers were not able to burst crackers because of the rainy weather. Many crackers also got wet, thus were wasted. This year the sales have not been great so far,” he said.
“We are mentally prepared to expect rains after October 20. Customers who have old stocks piled up from last year are not buying this year. Every other year, we are used to seeing lots of sales happening,” he continued.
Another factor, he fears, that might dampen the spirit is the increase in the prices of crackers, which go up by 5 percent every year keeping in mind the labour and transport charges. “Last year what you would have bought for Rs 1,000 won’t be available for the same amount. Having to spend more leaves customers dissatisfied,” he added.
“Last year, 80 fireworks shops were supposed to come up at Island Grounds but only 60 did. This year 58 have been set up. Predicting rains and not wanting to risk business has left us with uncertainty,” said D. Punithan, of the Fireworks Dealers Welfare Association.
He is among the many traders who will be selling fireworks at the Island Grounds from October 19 to October 30. He added that this year, instead of setting the shops at the Anna Salai side of Island Grounds, they have set up on the beachside, where rainwater doesn’t remain collected but flows off.
Both these traders are waiting for the Goods and Services Taxes to be implemented soon.
“With the GST coming into effect, customers will be able to buy 10 per cent more crackers for the price they are paying today. Price rise also affects our sales year after year,” added Khaja.
Sheikh Abdullah, who has been a fireworks trader for the past 40 years, said that though he has not many hopes that it won’t rain in the coming weeks, he prays fervently that it doesn’t rain ahead of Deepavali recalling the losses occurred to him the previous year.
