New Delhi, Nov 2 Days ahead of Diwali, the Supreme Court allowed the bursting of green firecrackers in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) from 6 to 7 am and from 8 to 10 pm on November 7 and 8. Diwali falls on November 8 this year.
Following are the highlights of the apex court’s order in the matter:
* SC directs authorities in Delhi-NCR to ensure that bursting of firecrackers is allowed only from 6 to 7 am and from 8 pm to 10 pm on November 7 and 8.
* SC says complete ban on firecrackers, as imposed earlier, shall be restored with effect from November 9.
* SC says no bursting of fireworks within a 300-metre radius of hospitals, nursing homes, primary and district health centres, old-age homes, any notified silence zones and educational institutions.
* SC says all necessary efforts will have to be made to ensure due compliance as an endeavour should be made not to cause any inconvenience to those who are suffering from ailments.
* SC says firecracker manufacturers having valid certification for green crackers, as certified by CSIR-NEERI as well as PESO, are permitted to manufacture only those green crackers that have been uploaded on the website of CSIR-NEERI from November 2 to November 6.
* SC says boxes containing green crackers must be completely sealed to ensure that they are not mixed with any unauthorised or conventional firecrackers.
* SC says there shall be no manufacture or sale of firecrackers joined in series (‘ladis’) and garlands.
* SC says use of firecrackers with Barium and those not approved by CSIR-NEERI as green crackers shall not be permitted.
* SC says district collectors/ commissioners, in consultation with police, shall identify and designate locations in NCR to facilitate sale of green crackers.
* SC says sale of firecrackers shall be strictly prohibited in any other location, other than the designated ones, including sale through online platforms.
* SC says steps will have to be taken to stop the flow of illegal and conventional firecrackers.
* SC says police authorities, in coordination with district administration in Delhi-NCR, shall constitute patrolling teams to keep a vigil on designated locations of sale of such green crackers.
* SC says illegal or conventional firecrackers shall be confiscated immediately and prosecutions shall be initiated against offending manufacturers or traders.
* SC says the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), in consultation with the state pollution control boards and their respective regional offices within the districts coming under NCR shall monitor AQI readings in their respective jurisdictions and prepare reports.
* SC says appropriate measures will have to be taken after the festival is over and this will include clearing of all solid waste, as well as its management and disposal.
* SC asks state authorities to duly notify and publish the measures proposed to be taken, including the Winter Action Plan 2026, Air Pollution Mitigation Plan 2026 and the CAQM Annual Action Plan amongst others, along with their advisory in leading newspapers and news channels.
* SC asks secretaries of concerned education departments of all states falling within NCR to take adequate steps to sensitise children studying in schools on the impact of pollution, especially during festival times.
* SC asks authorities to file an affidavit on the impact of bursting firecrackers, categorically stating the exact extent of increase in admissions of patients till Nov 30 in all hospitals and health centres across Delhi-NCR, following the festival.
* SC says strict action of contempt will be taken against the responsible officials if the directions are not complied with.
* SC says one must embrace the precautionary principle by being proactive to prevent issues, instead of merely reacting after they have occurred.
* SC says it wishes to make a sincere plea regarding the feasibility of raising awareness by members of the Bar, prominent personalities, including celebrities and sports persons, to lend their voice and influence through a voluntary public-awareness campaign.
* SC says AQI monitoring stations, which are alleged to be non-functional as no data could be retrieved therefrom, ought to be inspected once again.
* SC says if any defects in the functioning of AQI monitoring stations are found, they will have to be rectified with immediate effect.
(PTI News)
