Fireworks sellers in Kerala demand action against unauthorized sale

The fireworks industry and its licensed dealers in Kerala are facing a serious crisis due to illegal online sales, unauthorized storage, tax evasion and impractical measures under the central government’s Explosives (Amendment) Rules, 2026, say dealers.

According to KP Suresh Babu, state president of the Fireworks Dealers Association (FMA), about 16,800 licensed dealers and nearly 100,000 workers dependent on the industry are on the verge of losing their livelihood and closing down their establishments.

“While the illegal online sale of fireworks from Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu continues unchecked in violation of Supreme Court directives, legitimate traders bear a heavy financial burden to maintain LE-5 licenses, comply with safety norms, pay wages to employees, local taxes and GST. In contrast, unauthorized operators evade all licensing, security and tax obligations,” he said.

The association also pointed out that the newly introduced Explosives (Amendment) Rules 2026 impose impractical conditions that directly threaten thousands of existing LE-5 license holders.

The FMA criticized the double standards of tightly regulating legitimate businesses while allowing the illegal trade to flourish and called on the government to take immediate action.

The association’s primary demands include strict curbs on illegal online sale of fireworks, strict measures against unauthorized storage and distribution, curbs on excessive transportation of fireworks under the guise of personal use and a thorough review of the impractical provisions of the Explosives (Amendment) Rules, 2026.

“Licensed businesses should be given a reasonable transition period to make the necessary changes. While there must be no compromise on public safety, authorities must strictly prevent a situation where public safety is used only to harass law-abiding traders while allowing illegal trade to flourish,” they said.

Published – 13 Sep 2026 19:19 IST