Chandigarh: The Chandigarh Administration has decided to allow the sale of fire-crackers only at some  designated areas and not in Sector markets to ensure safety.

Dealers have opposed the decision of allowing the sale of crackers only at designated  places. Devinder Gupta, president of the   Cracker Shops Association, said in case the Administration   did not accept their demands, they might boycott the zone system. He said members would meet on Wednesday  to decide the  future course of action. 

Deputy Commissioner  Ajit  Balaji Joshi made it clear to fire-cracker dealers  on Tuesday  and told them that the sale of crackers  would be allowed only at the eight zones  identified by the Administration.

The Administration has identified the zones in  Sector 38 (West), the sabji mandi ground at Sector 43, the ground adjoining Ryan International School in Sector 49, in front of Gujarat Bhawan at Sector 24, in front of the fire station and Uppal Housing Society at Mani Majra, in front of Gobindpura Park, Mani Majra, Ram Darbar and Dasehra Ground, Mani Majra, near Housing Board Chowk. However, Joshi agreed to consider proposals for setting up more zones from dealers. Dealers have opposed the decision of allowing the sale of crackers only at designated  places. Devinder Gupta, president of the   Cracker Shops Association, said in case the Administration   did not accept their demands, they might boycott the zone system. He said members would meet on Wednesday  to decide the  future course of action. 

Chirag Agrawal, general secretary of the Cracker Shops Association, said the decision to allow cracker sale at only eight places would be disadvantageous to both traders and consumers. He said residents would have to travel to other sectors to buy crackers.