With just a couple of days to go before Diwali, a large number of traders of the state are yet to receive their permits to set up shop. Although the local administration had accepted applications from traders for temporary licences for selling firecrackers via the Sewa Setu portal of the state government, the licences have not been issued till the filing of this report.
With very limited time left for the upcoming festival of lights, the traders who applied for the licence to sell firecrackers are still waiting for permission. Many have mentioned that they had applied online and even submitted the requisite fee of Rs 500 for the same. After the applications were received, the local police stations verified the necessary details before forwarding the same to the respective Deputy Commissioner of Police under the Guwahati Police Commissionerate.
The traders were required to show multiple documents, including identity proof, tax receipts, trade licences, and fee receipts, in order to collect the licences, but due to unknown reasons, the same has not been provided yet. Many of the applicants expressed their unhappiness regarding the matter.