Kerala fireworks dealers seek crackdown on illegal online sales, review of 2026 Explosives Rules

Licensed fireworks traders in Kerala have urged the government to act against unauthorised sales and to review new central rules they say threaten the survival of their businesses.

The Fireworks Merchants Association (FMA) said the industry is under severe strain from illegal online sales, unauthorised stocking, tax evasion and what it described as impractical conditions introduced under the Explosives (Amendment) Rules, 2026.

Speaking for the association, State president K.P. Suresh Babu said around 16,800 licensed traders and nearly one lakh workers who depend on the trade face the prospect of losing their livelihoods and shutting down their establishments.

He said illegal online fireworks sales originating from Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu continue unchecked despite Supreme Court directives. Legitimate traders, by contrast, carry heavy costs to maintain LE-5 licences, meet safety standards, pay employee wages, local body fees and GST, while unauthorised operators avoid licensing, safety and tax obligations altogether, he added.

The association also flagged the Explosives (Amendment) Rules, 2026, saying the conditions they impose directly endanger thousands of existing LE-5 licensees. It accused authorities of applying heavy regulation to lawful businesses while allowing illegal trade to flourish.

The FMA's demands include strict curbs on illegal online fireworks sales, stern action against unauthorised storage and distribution, a crackdown on excessive transport of fireworks under the guise of personal use, and a thorough review of the new rules' provisions.

The association sought a reasonable transition period for licensed establishments to implement the required changes. It said public safety must not be compromised, but authorities should ensure the concern is not used only to harass law-abiding traders while illegal trade continues to grow.