‘Let children celebrate’: NCR states urge SC to allow restricted use of green crackers on Diwali
The state governments within the National Capital Region on Friday urged the Supreme Court to allow the use of green firecrackers for a restricted period on Diwali, as well as Christmas and New Year’s Eve, reported Live Law.
A bench of Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice K Vinod Chandran was hearing applications in a case pertaining to air pollution in the National Capital Region.
Appearing for states within the NCR, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the court that they were seeking permission to allow the use of green firecrackers on Diwali from 8 pm to 10 pm.
On Christmas and New Year’s Eve, the use of green firecrackers should be allowed from 11.55 pm to 12.30 am, and on Guruparab, from 4 am to 5 am, and 9 pm to 10 pm.
“Let children celebrate with fervour,” said Mehta.
Although the bench reserved its order, the chief justice remarked: “For the time being, we will permit on the ban lifting during Diwali.”
In April, the Supreme Court imposed a year-long ban on the manufacture, storage, sale and use of firecrackers in Delhi and adjoining areas that form the National Capital Region.
The court had ruled that the “so-called green crackers” would not be exempt from the ban, citing a Union government report stating that their emissions were only 30%...
Read more
News