In a bid to curb illegal production and sale of firecrackers ahead of Diwali 2019, Cuttack Police busted 8 illegal firecracker manufacturing units in Jagatpur area on October 19. Currently, the fireworks industry in India is pegged at ₹1,800 crore per annum. The business done by illegal units is estimated at ₹2,000 crore. Nearly 20 lakh people across the country earn their livelihood by engaging themselves in transporting, storing, distributing and selling fireworks on a permanent basis. Another 80 lakh people are involved in selling fireworks through temporary licences (for 30 days) during the Deepavali season.