The cracker menace continues unabated, in spite of court restrictions and police enforcement. I suggest a two-pronged policy to address the issue. Firstly, crackers must be brought under the ambit of ‘Sin Tax’, like cigarettes and alcohol. The tax on crackers must be so high that it discourages people from purchasing them, as with cigarettes. My colleagues who used to smoke a pack have now either stopped smoking completely or reduced their consumption to just one or two cigarettes. Secondly, like alcohol, only licensed vendors may be permitted to sell crackers so that inspections are made easier. The police must confiscate the goods of all unlicensed vendors.
Robert Castellino, Mumbai
