Mysuru, Oct. 18 (GA&BS)-With Deepavali, popular as ‘Festival of Lights’ being celebrated on Oct. 20 and 22, as Naraka Chaturdarshi and Balipadyami respectively, people are thronging cracker stalls opened in different parts of the city.

Like previous years, Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) has appealed people to celebrate the festival with Green Crackers.

Over 150 stalls including 19 opened at J.K. Grounds in the city, followed by JLB Road in Chamundipuram, Manandavadi Road, Abhishek Circle, towards Vijayanagar Water Tank, public place opposite Mahadeshwara Temple in Paduvarahalli.

The vendors have been permitted by the authorities concerned, to conduct sales for a period of five days from today (Oct. 18) till Oct. 22.

The make-shift stalls are built using asbestos sheets. The crackers have been kept on display in a row, above the ground level to avoid any possibilities of danger from rain water in the event of heavy downpour. The cracker boxes with a range of items including flower pots, crackers etc., are sold in the range of minimum Rs. 350, Rs. 450, Rs. 550 up to Rs. 1,000.

To create awareness among consumers, the board of ‘Green Crackers’ is hung at every stalls. Moreover, every cracker box has a green mark with a QR code, to confirm the compliance with Green Cracker norms. Any bid to sell crackers below certified standards, such crackers will be seized and a case will be booked against the vendor, the authorities have warned.

No child labour

On the other hand, the office of Assistant Labour Commissioner, Member Secretary of District Child Labour Eradication Planning Society, has said, there is a total prohibition on engaging the children in the age group of 14 years to 18 years, in hazardous industries.

With cracker stalls being opened in district and taluk headquarters, the children up to the age group of 18 years should not be employed at either of the cracker manufacturing units, stalls or any other related activities, as they fall under the bracket of hazardous industries.

This is in compliance with amended Child Labour and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and amended in the year 2016, that prohibits engagement of child labour in jobs and activities considered as hazardous. Any violation of law will be dealt with punitive action.