The Supreme Court on Wednesday indicated that firecrackers should neither be completely prohibited nor allowed throughout the day during the festival season, and said a workable arrangement would require fixing specific hours for their use.
A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and P B Varale said an absolute ban could affect people’s sentiments, while unrestricted bursting of firecrackers could adversely impact others, particularly the elderly, sick persons and children.
The bench said the court would have to identify a solution under which firecrackers could be permitted during specified time slots.
Conditional Relaxation For Green Crackers Proposed
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati placed a note before the court suggesting that limited and conditional relaxation could be considered for certain “next-generation joined green crackers” recommended by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI).
According to the note, such firecrackers could be allowed subject to compliance with applicable noise, emission and safety standards.
It further proposed that the crackers should be manufactured only by duly licensed manufacturers, remain within the prescribed noise limits of 125 dB(AI)/145 dB(C) peak and contain no banned chemicals.
Barium Issue To Be Considered On October 15
The Supreme Court said it would take up the issue concerning the use of barium in firecrackers on October 15.
Last year, the court had allowed the sale and use of green firecrackers in Delhi and the National Capital Region ahead of Diwali, subject to conditions concerning environmental and health concerns.
Their use was also restricted to specified hours on the day before Diwali and on Diwali.
