NEW DELHI: Supreme Court appears set to allow the sale and bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi and National Capital Region for Diwali , Gurupurav and Christmas celebrations.
While reserving orders on multiple pleas of firecracker manufacturers for allowing manufacture and sale of green crackers , which was supported by Centre and Haryana government, a bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said Friday it will pass a detailed order on Monday permitting manufacture and sale of only green crackers, which conform to standards set by NEERI and PESO.
Let kids enjoy festival without time curbs, SG urges apex court
"Did the levels of pollution in 2018 (when the SC had permitted bursting of green crackers within the stipulated time window in the evening) worsen as compared to 2024 to warrant imposing a complete ban?" the bench asked. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta asserted there was no scientific data to support the view that crackers contributed significantly to increase in pollution levels in Delhi and NCR.
Presenting an elaborate mechanism to ensure that only green crackers, which have 40-80% less noxious emission, are sold in Delhi and NCR states, Mehta also appealed to the CJI-led bench not to put any time restriction for bursting of crackers during four-five days of Diwali as many celebrate 'Narak Chaturdasi' on the morning of Diwali day with fireworks.
"Let children enjoy the festival without time restrictions. Two hours is too little. The child in me is appealing to the child in the CJI," Mehta said. While the CJI said it would be difficult for the court to change its earlier order stipulating the time-limits but agreed to consider the request.
The SG with additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati said that apart from strict implementation of green cracker norms, the govts of Delhi and NCR states will ensure that no series-crackers (ladis) are sold in market and no online sale of crackers is permitted.
The Centre said, "The sale shall only be through licenced traders, and it shall be ensured that these licenced traders are selling permitted firecrackers only. It shall be ensured by NCR states and GNCTD and PESO that no ecommerce websites, including Flipkart, Amazon etc, shall accept any online orders and effect online sales."
While reserving orders on multiple pleas of firecracker manufacturers for allowing manufacture and sale of green crackers , which was supported by Centre and Haryana government, a bench of Chief Justice B R Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran said Friday it will pass a detailed order on Monday permitting manufacture and sale of only green crackers, which conform to standards set by NEERI and PESO.
Let kids enjoy festival without time curbs, SG urges apex court
"Did the levels of pollution in 2018 (when the SC had permitted bursting of green crackers within the stipulated time window in the evening) worsen as compared to 2024 to warrant imposing a complete ban?" the bench asked. Solicitor general Tushar Mehta asserted there was no scientific data to support the view that crackers contributed significantly to increase in pollution levels in Delhi and NCR.
Presenting an elaborate mechanism to ensure that only green crackers, which have 40-80% less noxious emission, are sold in Delhi and NCR states, Mehta also appealed to the CJI-led bench not to put any time restriction for bursting of crackers during four-five days of Diwali as many celebrate 'Narak Chaturdasi' on the morning of Diwali day with fireworks.
"Let children enjoy the festival without time restrictions. Two hours is too little. The child in me is appealing to the child in the CJI," Mehta said. While the CJI said it would be difficult for the court to change its earlier order stipulating the time-limits but agreed to consider the request.
The SG with additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati said that apart from strict implementation of green cracker norms, the govts of Delhi and NCR states will ensure that no series-crackers (ladis) are sold in market and no online sale of crackers is permitted.
The Centre said, "The sale shall only be through licenced traders, and it shall be ensured that these licenced traders are selling permitted firecrackers only. It shall be ensured by NCR states and GNCTD and PESO that no ecommerce websites, including Flipkart, Amazon etc, shall accept any online orders and effect online sales."
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