September 05, 2006	Tuesday	Sha'aban 11, 1427

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VEHARI, Sept 4: The fireworks business is on the rise in the district ahead of Shab-i-Barat, but the district administration has failed to take any step to check the menace. According to a survey conducted by this scribe here on Sunday, the illegal business has picked up in almost all parts of the district, including Luddan, Machiwal, Gagoo, Mitroo, Grahamore, Chakrala, Karampur, Tibba Sultanpur, Jallajeem, Dokota, Muslim Town, Pipli Adda, Sahooka and Thingi Colony, where dozens of small fireworks factories are working round the clock without any check.

Workers, including women and children, employed at the factories preparing fireworks are working without any safety measure, especially in the rural areas. Most of the factories have been set up in mud houses where almost all family members remain busy making crackers and other types of fireworks.

During the last one year, about a dozen people, including children, have been injured in various parts of the district, including Muslim Town, Tibba Sultanpur and Thingi, when the explosive material caught fire in these factories.

A factory owner alleged he had to bribe the police or any raiding team to run his business.

According to an official of the district administration, these factories have no permission or licence and do not fulfill legal requirement to run their business.

Another factory owner said on the occasion of the Independence Day, the administration sealed his factory, and he had to pay Rs5,000 to the official concerned to resume his business.

He said majority of owners hires workers of age group from 10 to 15 years on a daily basis and pay them Rs30 to Rs50 daily.

The people informed the officials concerned about this business, but the district administration has, so far, not taken any step to check it.

Social circles have urged the Punjab government and other highups to take action against fireworks vendors and manufacturers to avoid any untoward incident.

According to a source, a huge quantity of fireworks material has been stored in various godowns and houses in residential areas for Shab-i-Barat.