Firecrackers worth about ₹3 crore sold in Khatima in two days: prices 25-30% higher than last year, yet supply falls short of demand; 138 licences at Tarai Beej Vikas Nigam ground

Khatima's firecracker market stayed busy on Saturday, the day after Dhanteras. According to Hindustan, wholesaler Naresh Agarwal said firecrackers worth about ₹3 crore have been sold in two days. These are traders' estimates, not official figures. Firecracker prices are up 25 to 30 percent on last Diwali, but this has not hit buying, and supply has fallen short of demand. This year the firecracker market has been set up on the Tarai Beej Vikas Nigam ground, where the administration has issued licences to 138 people to sell firecrackers. According to the paper, Khatima has two authorised firecracker wholesalers, while more than half a dozen people do wholesale business without authorisation. A fire department team has been posted at the ground along with police for the market's safety.