Firecracker manufacturers face setbacks

Manufacturers of firecrackers in the Southern Province undergo severe difficulties due to ever rising cost of explosives and raw materials needed for the trade.

They said VAT on explosives and raw materials resulted in the high prices of them.

A large-scale firecracker manufacturer said firecrackers have great demand during the festive seasons, but manufacturers cannot meet the demand with the high cost of raw materials. He said a pack of explosives cost them Rs. 8,500 in the past but now price of a packet has gone up to Rs. 10,750.