Under the permitted schedule, green firecrackers can be burst between 6am and 7am and again from 8pm to 10pm on November 7 and 8. The Supreme Court has allowed the sale and bursting of certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for a limited period for two days around Diwali.
The permission is limited to certified green firecrackers, which are designed to cause less pollution than conventional firecrackers. The court’s permission is limited to certified green firecrackers and the specified time slots. The relaxation does not allow the unrestricted sale or bursting of conventional firecrackers. However, it warned the authorities against using festive celebrations as a reason for failing to enforce restrictions. It also suggested that officials focus their enforcement efforts on the designated days, conduct inspections, issue challans, cancel licences and prosecute those violating the rules. The Supreme Court also sought details of inspections, seizures and other action taken by authorities against the sale and use of prohibited firecrackers. It raised concerns over the functioning of CAQM’s monitoring network and the availability of reliable records of field inspections.
The court, however, made it clear that the relaxation would remain in force only for these two days, with a complete ban on firecrackers set to be restored from November 9. Diwali falls on November 8 this year.
During an earlier SC hearing, a bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale said it understood the public sentiment around Diwali and was not inclined to impose a blanket ban. The court said it was not asking authorities to stop people from celebrating Diwali but wanted them to ensure that firecrackers were used responsibly and only during the permitted hours.
Because of their harmful effects on children and other vulnerable groups, the court’s proceedings stem from a 2015 petition filed on behalf of three minors seeking a blanket ban on the sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi-NCR.
