Hyderabad burns up Rs 50cr on crackers

Hyderabad 2007: According to modest estimates, the city spent more than Rs 100 crores on Diwali celebrations this year.

Of the entire amount, Rs 50 crores was spent on fire crackers alone. Rs 20 crores was spent on gambling. The Mithaiwalas sold Rs 15 crores worth of sweets and garments accounted for Rs 30 to 35 crores.

Fire cracker whole sale merchants and dealers association treasurer Pratap Kumar said that at least Rs 25 crores worth crackers were sold by licensed traders adding that Rs 20 crores to Rs 25 crores worth crackers were reportedly sold by persons without valid licences.

According to preliminary estimates, nearly Rs 20 crores were spent on gambling in the city, much less than the touted Rs 35 crores figure. The slump in real estate is also one of the reasons for money not being blown on gambling as expected, sources said.

City police commissioner Balwinder Singh said, "We are aware gambling happens on Diwali night as part of the tradition here, but the police has ensured that people didn't gamble at public places."

According to Mr G. Raghav Reddy, managing partner of G. Pulla Reddy Sweets and the treasurer of sweet shops association: "Nearly Rs 15 crores worth sweets are expected to have been sold for this Diwali."

Cloth merchants said almost Rs 35 crores worth business had been done this Diwali. "You cannot exactly put the figures, as some buy clothes for Diwali during Dasara itself due to the discounts available then," traders said.